Independent supports local charity

A Yorkshire independent has teamed up with a local charity to help support people who have recently been diagnosed with sight impairment.

In aid of Wakefield District Sight Aid (WDSA), Valli Opticians in Wakefield will complete a 7000-door leaflet drop across the city, as well as reach out to its 20,000 Facebook followers, to offer patients £15 off an eye test or a £15 discount on their spectacles. It will donate £2 to the charity for every eye test booked from now until 1 December.

Valli Opticians, which has 14 practices based in Yorkshire and the north west, supported WDSA previously when one of its optometrists, Robin Bennett, took on an 85-mile cycle challenge to raise funds for the organisation.

Mr Bennett explained that the practice had chosen to support WDSA because it was at the heart of care for those losing their sight in Wakefield. “The WDSA offers practical help and support for people with very poor eyesight,” he said.

“As opticians we often help people with visual impairment with visual aids and specialist glasses, but we can also financially support WDSA with this initiative and raise awareness among our community about their work,” he added.

Speaking about the new initiative, chief executive of the WDSA, Graham Bell, said: “The Valli team in Outwood has supported us for many years with both fundraising and practical help where possible. We rely almost totally on donations and a major challenge for WDSA is raising awareness about what we do."