Celebrating Two Decades of Orbis Impact

The Gift of Sight Ball is an annual networking event held in conjunction with the Air Finance Conferences in Dublin each January. Since its inception in 2005, the Ball has raised €3 million for Orbis’s sight-saving work. This event is attended by approximately 300 senior representatives from a wide range of aviation companies. By supporting the Gift of Sight Ball, attendees had the opportunity to network with some of the most influential members of the aviation community while supporting Orbis’s life-changing work.

Celebrating 20 years of the Gift of Sight Ball highlights the significant partnership between Orbis Ireland and the aviation community, showcasing their collective achievements in combating blindness and improving lives in southern Ethiopia.

The evening was a celebration of vision, unity, and the shared commitment to create a world where no one lives with avoidable blindness. Key activity focus areas for Orbis Ireland include developing eye health infrastructure, training staff, and providing technical resources to ensure sustainable, quality eye care through various settings, including the unique Flying Eye Hospital.

Marie O'Brien from A&L Goodbody shared, "The Orbis Ball has been and continues to be a highlight of the Dublin aircraft finance conference. A&L Goodbody also host the Air Finance 5Km run the day before the ball, and we remain proud and steadfast in our support of Orbis and the great work it does. This industry is truly international and each year the support of Orbis during conference week is a timely and important reminder and celebration of the great impact that aviation can have in healing and improving our world."

Stephen O'Donnell from Maples Group expressed, "Maples Group is proud to be a long-standing supporter of the Orbis Ball and its incredible mission to transform lives through the gift of sight. Congratulations on 20 years of making a meaningful difference around the world."

Joe O'Mara from KPMG added, "KPMG is a long-standing and proud supporter of the excellent work Orbis has done in the last two decades. The Orbis ball is always a highlight of a very busy week and a great place to catch up with friends across the industry."

Joe Conboy from PwC noted, "PwC have been a proud supporter of Orbis and the Orbis Ball in particular, for many years now. The work that all the team at Orbis do is truly amazing and inspirational. I and a number of my PwC colleagues have been lucky enough to see the impact of that work first hand on our recent trips to Ethiopia - the monies we raise at events like the Orbis Ball really do go a long way. The Ball itself is really one of my favourite events of the conference week as it comes after a really hectic few days and is always a great way to unwind and relax knowing your conference week work is pretty much done."

Thank you to this year's table hosts for celebrating 20 years of visionary impact and supporting Orbis Ireland in its mission to prevent and treat blindness in Ethiopia: A&L Goodbody, Acumen, AerCap, Airbus, Aircastle, Arthur Cox, AvAir, Avilease, Avolon, CDB Aviation, Clifford Chance, Falko, GE Aerospace, Holland & Knight, KPMG, Maples Group, Matheson, PwC, Sky Leasing.

To see our whole list of events and initiatives visit this page.