Major funding boost shines a light on Sunderland eye care
A major grant has been awarded to a Sunderland and South Tyneside charity to support the future of eye care in Sunderland.
STS Charity, the dedicated charity of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, has received £50,000 in funding from the Sir John Priestman Charity Trust.
The trust supports local charities, historic church buildings and community projects across the region.
The money will be used to support the STS’ Vision Appeal, which aims to enhance services at the new Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital.
The contribution marks a full circle moment for eye care in Sunderland.
Sir John Priestman, the Sunderland shipbuilding pioneer and philanthropist, originally financed the construction of the Sunderland Eye Infirmary on Queen Alexandra Road.
It was opened by Princess Elizabeth shortly after the Second World War and went on to become a centre of excellence for eye care in the region.
This continues a long-standing tradition of support for healthcare in Sunderland from the Sir John Priestman Charity Trust.
Nichola Taylor, head of the STS Charity, said: “Thanks to this incredibly generous grant from the Sir John Priestman Charity Trust, we can continue building on Sunderland’s proud history of specialist eye care.
“The Vision Appeal is all about going further, funding the additional equipment and innovations that will make a real difference to how we diagnose, treat and care for our patients.
"This support not only honours Sir John Priestman’s legacy but will help ensure people across our community benefit from world-class eye care for many years to come.”
The grant has funded an IOL Master at the new hospital, a non‑invasive laser tool that precisely measures the eye and calculates the correct lens for cataract surgery, bringing essential measurements into one appointment, removing the need to visit multiple departments.
The STS Charity Vision Appeal has delivered a series of important enhancements across the new hospital, including motorised examination chairs, visual field testing machines, specialist theatre trolleys, Digital Thomson charts and new children’s waiting area toys.
Several other improvements have also been made to enhance patient experience and support high‑quality care.
So far, around £800,000 worth of equipment and enhancements has been funded through the Vision Appeal.