SPECSAVERS in Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan and the Rhondda have raised more than £1,100 for charity following a ‘two peaks’ hike and bake sales in its local stores.
Team members from the four Cardiff stores, as well as Penarth, Cowbridge and Talbot Green, raised funds for the Alzheimer’s Society, which provides dementia support services, funds research and campaigns for change.
The group took part in the eight-hour, 15-mile trek on Sunday 24 September, climbing both the Blorenge and Sugar Loaf in Monmouthshire, before returning back to Abergavenny.
They have currently raised £675 off the back of the hike, via Just Giving.
In addition to the physical challenge, the teams hosted bake sales, raffles and other fundraising activities, raising an additional £507.
In total, the Specsavers teams raised £1,182 for the UK-wide charity. The activity came off the back of World Alzheimer’s Day on Thursday 21 September, which is a global effort to raise awareness and challenge the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.
Kyle James, the hearing aid dispenser at Specsavers Cardiff who organised the hike, says: ‘There are known links between hearing loss and dementia – according to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, mild hearing loss doubles the risk of developing dementia and severe hearing loss increases the risk five times[1]. Evidence suggests that managing hearing loss could reduce or delay the impact of dementia.
‘We’re passionate to raise funds for, and awareness of, important causes like this, especially as we mark World Alzheimer’s Day. We hope the money we’ve raised will make a difference for those who need it.’
To find out more about Specsavers or to request an appointment at your local store, visit www.specsavers.com/.
