TAMWORTH has been keeping an eye out for disadvantaged Indian communities for more than a decade.
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This weekend, Tamworth town hall will host the annual "Eye Openers" charity dinner and organisers are expecting one of the biggest ever attendances.
The fundraiser has been spearheaded by Tamworth ophthalmologist David Moore and wife Gaye.
Eye Openers is a program providing eye and medical care to the poor and needy in rural India.
It is multi-faceted, it helps children in India and it is also forming relationships in the community here.
- Gaye Moore
The foundation has recently branched out and opened six study centres in India.
The centres offer tuition to disadvantaged children with the aim getting them into more prestigious high schools and potentially university.
One organiser said the charity dinners in Tamworth had probably raised about $100,000 for the cause over the years.
Mrs Moore said the event had benefits for communities in Tamworth and abroad.
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"It is multi-faceted, it helps children in India and it is also forming relationships in the community here," she said.
"It is a really fun cultural night.
"It's a real mix of the local medical and general community, friends of ours and the Indian community.
"So that's great for forming relationships and understanding."
The Moores travel to India every year and Gaye said they've forged personal connections in the sub-continent which have kept them committed to the cause.
She said Tamworth had been very supportive of the cause over the years.
While trying economic and climatic conditions might make fundraising understandably difficult, the organisers have tried to keep costs minimal.
She said the Australian dollar goes a lot further in India as well.
"To run a program like this here would cost a huge amount ... but the dollar can go much, much further there," she said.
The event starts at 5.30pm on Saturday at the town hall.
- To book tickets please contact Peter Jones at 0422 319 580 or via email at pcj2@bigpond.com
- Tickets are $40 which includes meals and drinks
- There will also be a silent auction and entertainment on the night