The Graham Layton Trust

The Graham Layton Trust, registered under charity number 290464 in the United Kingdom, is a UK-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing blindness and visual impairment in Pakistan. Founded in 1984, the Trust raises funds and awareness through Zakat and Sadaqah donations to support its sister charity, the Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT), which operates free eye care facilities in Pakistan. In 2024, the organization rebranded as Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust UK to align its identity with LRBT’s international chapters and continue its mission of creating a blindness-free Pakistan[1][3].

Mission and Activities

The Graham Layton Trust focuses on treating curable blindness and visual impairment by providing high-quality free eye surgeries and ophthalmic care to the poor and underprivileged populations of Pakistan. The Trust supports a vast network of eye care facilities managed by LRBT, including 20 hospitals and 61 clinics, making it the largest provider of free eye care in the country. Their services aim to rehabilitate millions of people who suffer from avoidable blindness and improve their quality of life[2][5].

The Trust emphasizes the use of Zakat and Sadaqah donations to facilitate these treatments, ensuring access to healthcare for vulnerable and marginalized communities with limited or no access to quality medical services. Their model focuses on cost-effective, high-standard care designed to maximize the impact of donor contributions[2][3].

Impact

Since its inception, the Trust and its sister charity LRBT have collectively treated over 57 million patients across Pakistan, performing thousands of surgeries and daily treatments. This extensive outreach has played a critical role in reducing blindness caused by treatable conditions and enhancing the economic potential of affected individuals and communities[2][4].

Governance and Resources

The Graham Layton Trust operates with a committed team including trustees, employees, and volunteers. As of recent records, the Trust has 7 trustees, 2 employees, and 14 volunteers who oversee its operations and fundraising activities. It provides funding, medical equipment, and essential medical products to LRBT in Pakistan to support service delivery[1].

Legacy

Named after its founder, Graham Layton, the Trust's efforts reflect a long-standing commitment to addressing health inequalities in Pakistan. Its work not only alleviates the suffering caused by blindness but also contributes to the socio-economic development of Pakistani communities by enabling affected individuals to regain their sight and livelihoods[3][5].

[1] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/290464 [2] https://lrbt.org.uk [3] https://lrbt.org.uk/about-us/ [4] https://www.glt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/impact-report-2020.pdf [5] https://withininternational.com/graham-layton-trust/