Honouring the legacy of the late Sydney ophthalmologist Dr Raf Ghabrial, his friends and family have launched a fundraising drive for the charity he helped establish, Friends of Nias.

The late Dr Raf Ghabrial in the Nias clinic

Dr Ghabrial, who died in tragic circumstances two years ago, was a regular visitor to the region and started the charity, Friends of Nias, to provide general medical care for the people on the island.

Dr Ghabrial’s friend and colleague, ophthalmologist Dr Simon Nothling, is now helping with the running and oversight of the clinic, along with a few other members of the Surfing Doctors.

Simon said the organisation was also responsible for upskilling a team of local doctors and nurses who are engaged in running the clinic on a day-to-day basis.

"Keeping the clinic open was important, not just to the people on the island, but to honour Dr Ghabrial’s legacy.

I was up there last year. A lot of the people there can't afford any medical care, so they really appreciate the clinic as it’s free for the local people. I took a lot of glasses up there and they were very, very grateful for that."

While volunteer opportunities exist, Dr Nothling said the most urgent need was for funds, to keep the clinic operational.

The organisation is registered as a charity with tax deductible status through World Relief Australia.

Donations can be made on the Friends of Nias website.