Community

Specsavers is still very much a family run business with family values to match, and over the past few years, the company has donated more than €1 million to various charities. In Ireland these have included Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, through the ongoing sole sponsorship of its Shades appeal, and Vision Aid Overseas. As part of its support for the latter, Specsavers stores collect and recycle unwanted glasses to send to the developing world.

In October 2008 the 32 stores in Ireland joined forces with  more than 450 others across the UK to give VAO an additional boost. The initiative saw stores open on a Sunday, many that would otherwise have been closed. They collectively raised almost €280,000 for the UK-based charity. It will go towards building the first VAO training facility and a brand new eye clinic in Zambia.

Founders Doug and Mary Perkins have always acknowledged that Specsavers Optical Group thrives on being based in Guernsey and how much their local workforce has given them, and the company is renowned for its support of the island community.

Specsavers' founder Mary Perkins, who was awarded the Rotary International Community and Vocational Service Award for her outstanding service to the local community, said: "We recognise that without the support of islanders, Specsavers wouldn't be the success it is today. We understand the value of corporate social responsibility, which is why we work hard to give something back. Many of the people we work with directly in the community are or become employees of the company." Over the past 10 years alone, Specsavers has contributed more than £1m to charitable causes.

After many years helping to raise thousands of pounds for Children on Need, Specsavers Optical group formed its own local charity - Specsavers Children's Charitable Foundation - to ensure that money raised for needy and disadvantaged children could remain within the Bailiwick. Every year we raise more than £20,000 for local causes, many of which are small, confidential donations to help support the children of single parents and those in financial distress.