ORBIS International has been named a beneficiary of the 2008 Lord Mayor’s Appeal — a year-long annual charity drive overseen by the Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor of the City of London. Prince William, elder son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, is patron of this year’s appeal.

Photograph by kind permission of Prince William and © Mario Testino

Prince William’s international celebrity and worldwide popularity make him an exceptional representative and will undoubtedly increase significantly recognition of ORBIS in the United Kingdom.

“I am so pleased to be the patron of the 2008 Lord Mayor’s Appeal,” Prince William said. “Becoming involved in this way is particularly special for me because of the past association and commitment of my mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, to [designated charities] Wellbeing of Women and ORBIS …These charities do such an amazing job in helping to solve women’s health problems and saving sight worldwide. I look forward to lending my support to their remarkable efforts over the coming year.”

In 1995, ORBIS President Oliver Foot met with the Princess of Wales to inform her of ORBIS’s work saving sight worldwide. As a result, Princess Diana issued the following statement:

It is a horrifying fact that some 30 million people suffer avoidable blindness worldwide. ORBIS has proved uniquely effective in bringing sight and hope to those in desperate need. I warmly support such a pioneering international humanitarian initiative.

Appeal inspires giving

In expressing his pleasure that Prince William is this year’s patron, Lord Mayor David Lewis said, “It is wonderful that despite his heavy workload and commitment to the armed services, Prince William has agreed to be the patron of my 2008 Lord Mayor’s Appeal. I very much appreciate the support of Prince William in helping us to invest in healthy lives, healthy vision and healthy futures.”

The Lord Mayor’s Appeal 2008 will raise funds from companies, organizations, individuals and livery companies in and around the City of London. An exciting portfolio of events accompanies the Appeal and offers something for everyone — from the London Marathon and gala dinners at Mansion House and Guildhall, to sporting events at some of England’s most recognized venues. The Appeal has received fantastic support so far, including having Barclays Capital and Deloitte as Platinum Benefactors.

Funds designated for ORBIS will be used to reduce the number of children who are needlessly blind in Rajasthan, India. The appeal will support the development of children’s eye care centers in Jaipur and Udaipur, both of which lack ophthalmologists specially trained in pediatric eye care.