THE Redlands community has raised $232,000 for The Fred Hollows Foundation, giving a single father of two children and thousands of other blind and vision impaired people the gift of sight this Christmas.
Poorlee and his children Shoua and Blong, who live in a remote Laos village, travelled eight hours to have their cataracts removed at the Fred Hollows outreach eye camp.
Dr Phetsamone Indara examined the two children - who were born with blinding cataracts - and Porlee, who was also found to have cataracts in both eyes.
"This was a very important case," Dr Indara said.
"The father and both his children had cataract. I was willing to operate, but only on five eyes - one eye for the father, as he needed to be able to look after his children."
Porlee said the cataracts had made an already difficult life even harder for his children.
He said he did not know what do until he heard about the outreach eye camp.
Olympic swimmer and Fred Hollows Foundation ambassador Susie O'Neill said the Redlands' contribution was inspiring and heart-warming.
"Knowing that communities like the Redlands still care about the extraordinary work that The Fred Hollows Foundation does is incredibly moving," she said.
"It makes me proud to be a Queenslander, seeing communities rally together for a vital cause such as restoring sight."
Fred Hollows Foundation founding director Gabi Hollows said Fred would be amazed by the compassion Redlands locals had shown.
"Without the support of people from the Redlands, the foundation couldn't have helped so many people like Porlee and his beautiful children this year," she said.
"Our generous donors are at the heart of our Fred Hollows family, and they help us transform the lives of those living with avoidable blindness.
"I am so grateful to everyone who has supported our work this year, and the past 25 years. I extend my heartfelt thanks and wish you all a safe and happy holiday season."
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