Comic, poet and musician, John Hegley, is giving voice to Vision Care for Homeless People with a Radio 4 appeal to be broadcast on 16 June. He will be accompanied by the gentle tones of his Cavaquinho, a Portuguese mandolin.
The Sunday appeal – repeated a few days later – is set to reach nearly 2m listeners who will be asked to support the charity’s work throughout the UK.

John, who has worn glasses since the age of 11, is a keen specs wearer and a member of a band, the Popticians who regularly talk about wearing specs. He called into the Vision Care for Homeless People clinic in Aldgate and was impressed with the compassion and professionalism of the volunteers –
“It is such a warm, welcoming, environment and these clinics are making a real difference to people’s lives.”
The Radio 4 appeal is set to help keep the centres going in London, Exeter, Brighton, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, and it is hoped will help fund new centres in the UK where need is greatest.
Pictured is David Brown, VCHP General Manager, Janice English Trustee and John Hegley.

Sunday 16 June 7.54am, Sunday 21.26pm, and repeated on Thursday 20 June at 15.2pm
www.visioncarecharity.org