“Unity in Vision” parade

On January 1, 2025, London’s New Year’s Day Parade featured a vibrant display from the Borough of Enfield, themed “Unity in Vision.” Despite challenging weather conditions, nearly 100 residents, including Mayor Mohammad Islam, participated in this celebration of community diversity and eye health awareness.

The initiative was led by SightCare member Garry Kousoulou, who drew inspiration from his work with eye charts. Participants wore T-shirts and carried banners resembling multi-lingual eye test charts, representing some of the 88 languages spoken in Enfield. This creative approach highlighted the borough’s cultural richness and emphasised that “vision care transcends language barriers.”

The parade entry received support from various local businesses and organisations, including Bengali Dancers, Gardener’s Trees, Centre Transport Sales, Red Eyewear, Gordon Thomas Opticians, and Supple Feet. Environmental group N0CO2 pledged to plant trees in Madagascar to offset the parade’s environmental impact, reflecting Enfield’s commitment to becoming the greenest London borough.

Mayor Mohammad Islam praised the initiative, stating, “What Garry has created goes beyond a parade entry. It’s a living, breathing testament to Enfield’s spirit of inclusivity.” Garry Kousoulou added, “When you see hundreds of people marching together, wearing these shirts, speaking different languages but moving as one community – that’s magic.”

SightCare extends heartfelt congratulations to all its members who participated in this visionary showcase. Special commendation goes to Garry Kousoulou for his leadership and creativity in bringing this project to fruition. Your dedication not only highlighted the critical role of eye health professionals but also celebrated the unity and diversity that define Enfield.