Eyes Right

Local Citizen receives Mayor of Runnymede’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Borough 2008.

Local businesswoman, Frances Davies 65, has had her voluntary work for charity acknowledged by the Mayor of Runnymede at a ceremony in the new council offices in Addlestone.

Frances, Chairman and owner of Principal People, 51-53 Guildford Street, Chertsey, (the leading Health, Safety and Environment recruitment and training agency) works tirelessly for her own charity, Eyes Right, raising much needed funds, nearly £80,000 so far, for the Eye Unit at St. Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey.

She founded the charity when she realised that her Consultant Ophthalmologist, Mike Tappin, who was treating her for glaucoma, had injured his hand during a fund-raising bike ride. Frances recognised that this was completely wrong. How could she let this specialist surgeon put himself at risk and damage his precious hands in order to raise money for his patients? She discussed the project with Mr Tappin and Eyes Right was born.

Her fund raising doesn’t stop there. Despite her own disabilities, Frances, who has been extremely ill now for several years, continues to arrange concerts, walks and other activities for Eyes Right and has supported other charities, The British Heart Foundation, McMillan Nurses and Cancer Research to name but a few as well as supporting other local, smaller groups and charities. Frances was given her award by the Mayor at the new Council offices with 4 other achievers who were also honoured for either their bravery or services to the Borough.