THANKS to donations from the local community, a Trowbridge opticians has collected 1,248 specs which will help provide eye care in the developing world.

Specsavers in The Shires Shopping Centre was able to gather the specs over a few months on behalf of Vision Aid Overseas (VAO). The specs will be recycled, and the money used to support the charity’s work, providing vital eye care to people in deprived areas of Africa.

‘We’re so grateful to our customers for their donations which will go a long way to help people in Africa who don’t have access to eye care services,’ says store director, Tara Galloway. ‘To have collected more than 1,200 pairs is just fantastic and we’d like to say thank you to anyone who has dropped any off. We are still collecting, so if you find an old pair that you no longer need, please do drop them off in store.

‘Eye care is something we take for granted in this country, but for many people all over the world it’s simply something that isn’t available. We’re keen to do whatever we can to help, and collecting unwanted specs is a great way to show our support.’

VAO is dedicated to fighting poverty by transforming access to eye care in developing countries and raises money by selling the materials recycled from old glasses. The process is environmentally friendly and enables the charity to fund its overseas projects.

To drop off a pair of specs, visit the store at The Shires Shopping Centre, Trowbridge, call 01225 775 434 or go to www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/trowbridge