Wantage mill worker's mercy mission to India

3:04pm Tuesday 2nd December 2008

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A mill worker has dipped into his own pocket and turned aid worker in a bid to help 1,500 people with eyesight problems in an Indian village.

Harbhur Gill, right, 52, of East Challow, has returned from Pholriwala, in Punjab, where he organised a one-day eye camp, offering free treatment.

Mr Gill, who used his life savings to fund half of the £4,000 project, said: “I thought I should do something because we are living in a fairly well-off country, and we should do something for people who haven’t got anything.”

Mr Gill, who works at Wessex Mill, Wantage, secured the support of an eye specialist based in Punjab, Dr Parminder Thind, who carried out the examinations and operations with his team in the village last month.

As well as about 45 cataract operations, 400 people were given free glasses and 1,010 people free medicine for eye infections. Mr Gill, who came to England in 1980 to marry his wife Pat, 45, said: “It was a very moving experience.”

He raised £450 from a collection tin on the counter at Barnards Way post office, in Wantage, where his wife works.

He also received donations from a local doctor and family and friends.