Exeter opticians make a spectacle of themselves

Staff at a local opticians in Exeter are donning their daftest fancy dress and striking their best poses, as part of Armed Forces week.

To show support for this year’s Armed Forces Week (20-26 June), Specsavers Exeter will be hosting a day of fancy dress fun on Saturday 25 June to raise money for Blind Veterans UK (BVUK). Staff at the store will be dressing in the Union Jack colours of red, white and blue to support the cause, with collection boxes so customers are able to make a donation at the till point.

The activity follows Specsavers’ successful involvement in last year’s Make a Spectacle of Yourself campaign, where more than £20,000 was raised for ex-Service men and women across the country who have been blinded in action or have lost their sight through accident, illness or old age.

Stephen Auty, store director at Specsavers in Exeter, says: ‘Blind Veterans UK provides crucial support to those who have either lost or had their sight damaged while representing our country in the armed forces. The charity works tirelessly to give its members their independence back and helps them discover a life beyond sight loss.

‘Armed Forces Week is a brilliant chance to have a bit of fun, show our silly sides whilst also digging deep for this fantastic organisation. We encourage all of our staff, customers and wider members of the community to get involved in whatever way they can – whether it’s sticking on their glad rags or sparing a little change. It makes a difference to some very deserving people.’

Blind Veterans UK was established in 1915 by founder of the Daily Express and former owner of the Evening Standard, Sir Arthur Pearson after he lost his own sight to glaucoma. Nearly a century later, Blind Veterans UK not only cares for ex-Service men and women blinded in action, but for veterans who have lost their sight through accident, illness or old age. The charity provides residential and respite care plus sports facilities, as well as qualified welfare staff who help blind veterans across the UK to live independently within their own communities.

To make a donation to Blink Veterans UK visit https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/how-you-can-help/donate-online-now/ or https://www.justgiving.com/blindveterans

To find out more visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/exeter