Celebrities & ambassadors
A much-loved and respected celebrity has the ability to influence not only his or her own fans but also opinion formers - the politicians and policy makers who we are trying to make sit up and take notice.
Of course, choosing the right star name can be a bit of a minefield; we need to be sure that anyone acting as a Sightsavers ambassador and role model is genuinely passionate about our work.
That's why we prefer to work with figureheads who either have a first-hand experience of what it is to be blind - such as Amadou and Mariam or Debra Winger - or of one of the countries where we work (such as India, where Joanna Lumley was born).
Nina Wadia
Like her on-screen son Himesh, soap actress Nina Wadia was inspired to back our Vision India Appeal after dining in the dark.
Himesh Patel
Leading soap star Himesh Patel pledged his support to Sightsavers and our Vision India Appeal after spending an evening ‘Dans le Noir’ (in the black).
The Big Red Nose Desert Trek
In February, nine intrepid celebrities braved heat stroke, blisters and chafing to visit Sightsavers’ work and raise money for Comic Relief.
Lorraine Kelly
Glasgow born Lorraine Kelly is an award-winning journalist and TV presenter and has been presenting her own show on GMTV since 1994.
Sunetra Sarker
With a name that means ‘eyes that see beautiful things’, Casualty and No Angels actress Sunetra jumped at the opportunity to support Sightsavers.
Amadou and Mariam
World music superstars Amadou and Mariam, also known as ‘the blind couple from Mali’, are proud Sightsavers ambassadors.
Debra Winger
It was the overwhelming statistic that 75% of the 37 million people in the world who are blind could be cured or prevented, that moved the triple Oscar nominated actress Debra Winger to become an ambassador for Sightsavers in 2003.
Haydn Gwynne
Star of the small screen and theatre Haydn Gwynne became involved with our work in 2004, following her decision to leave popular TV drama Merseybeat a year previously, to concentrate on family life.
Joanna Lumley
The model turned actress Joanna Lumley contacted us in 1997, touched by a Sightsavers appeal she had seen in a newspaper: "Learning the staggering statistic that 75% of the world's blindness is avoidable or curable, I knew I had to get involved," she said.
