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.

Community Main 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.