Rev Mark Perry
Reverend Mark's St John Eye Hospital Group Appeal
Fundraising for St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group
Story
St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group (SJEHG) transforms lives by saving sight in the world’s most unique region facing decades of conflict resulting in the poorest people lacking the basic privileges of ordinary life.
No one could fail to be aware, the COVID-19 pandemic caused huge global disruption and had impacted people from all walks of life. SJEHG were no exception. Today, fundraising is at a strategic emphasis because of the recent conflicts. According to the magazine Jerusalem Scene they urgently need to raise £6m to reestablish vital eye care facilities in conflict torn Gaza. They are the only charitable provider of expert eye care in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, treating patients regardless of ethnicity, religion or ability to pay.
Former Commander UK Land Forces, Major General John Stokoe CB CBE says,
A very good friend of mine, sadly now deceased, was the matron at this hospital. The work it does is ground breaking in the care of the sight of those too poor to arrest the onset of permanent blindness and a lifetime of significant disability in a region where, sadly, life has little value. Rev'd Mark’s endeavours to add another drop to that ocean of hope is to be commended.
Since the start of the war, children, women, and men, who through no fault of their own, have found themselves without even the most basic of human needs. That includes access to sight- saving treatment, which is why they need to get their facilities back up and running as quickly as possible.
The SJEHG has been operating for over 140 years. There are obviously going to be so many competing demands over the next few months as 2.3 million ordinary members of the community look to rebuild their homes, schools, businesses, and infrastructure. But the most urgent of these is rebuilding shattered lives traumatised by war; after all, it is hard to look to a future if you cannot see.
An example is a child called; Yazan from Gaza who received treatment at their Jerusalem Hospital for injuries sustained from playing in the rubble of his parents’ house – rubble caused by the conflict in Gaza.
£1000 could cover the costs for two children’s cataract surgery £200 could pay for 4 packs used in cataract surgery £50 could fund Mobile Outreach education workshops in the West Bank.
There is much being asked of us at this time yet the need to bring vital eye care to isolated communities is key in order to transform lives by saving sight.
The Reverend Mark Perry MStJ – County Chaplain for London says,
Please consider donating today to help transform lives by saving sight - Your donation will make a difference!