Digging deep to help foundation

New figures show Moreton Bay has been one of the biggest supporters of the Fred Hollows Foundation this year.

In the past year, more than 2100 people from Moreton Bay, including 228 new donors, have supported The Foundation.

There has also been $579,000 in donations to help the foundation treat hundreds of thousands of people living with avoidable blindness.

That put Moreton Bay fourth in Queensland behind Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Across the state, $6.4 million has been donated in the last year with Townsville leading the way followed by Noosa, Cairns, Fraser Coast and Gladstone.

“Fred used to say the major problem with the world is the disparity between nations — but that it could be changed,” Founding Director Gabi Hollows said.

“Nine out of 10 cases of blindness and vision impairment are preventable or treatable.

“Together, we can do something about it and Australians are proving that even in challenging times, community spirit can change lives.”

“Thank you Moreton Bay residents for allowing us to keep Fred’s vision of ending avoidable blindness alive.”

In 2025, The Foundation performed 8.1 million eye screenings, 560 eye surgeries and treatments and treated 16.5 million people for trachoma - the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness.

A study released this year, co-authored by The Fred Hollows Foundation, showed every dollar invested in eye health can return up to $28 in economic benefit.

For more information about The Fred Hollows Foundation or to help restore sight, visit www.hollows.org or call 1800 352 352.