Opticians keep focus on Alzheimer’s charity

Five figure sum raised by local business.

Birmingham based Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care has raised £12,700 for its charity of the year Alzheimer’s Society and is to continue its support in 2016.

The family firm’s network of 177 branches embraced the cause with a range of activities, from cake sales to sponsored walks, to raise funds and awareness. Over 130 staff completed Dementia Friends sessions to gain a greater understanding of dementia and the small things that could make a difference to people in their communities affected by it.

Chairman Nicholas Georgevic said: “We have all learned a great deal and wanted to do more for Alzheimer’s Society by adopting it as our charity of the year for a further 12 months. We have lots of ideas and enthusiasm and are looking forward to building on the relationship.

“There is growing evidence of a link between hearing loss and dementia, including Alzheimer’s, and as dementia affects so many people there is an increasing need for help and care.”

Ray Nash, Senior Regional Corporate Fundraising Executive for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “I am delighted that Scrivens have chosen to extend their partnership with us for a further year, building on the great work done in 2015 that not only saw Scrivens raise over £12,000 but also raised vital awareness of how people are affected by dementia and the range of local services that we provide to support them. Scrivens’ ongoing support will help fund services to help support people to live well with the condition now, and fund a cure for the future.”

Scrivens branch staff plan to hold more fundraising events and awareness days for the charity and take part in Memory Walks and other sponsored activities for the charity in the year ahead.

Alzheimer’s Society is the leading support and research charity in the UK for people with dementia and those who care for them. Alzheimer’s Society estimates 23 million people have a close friend or family with dementia.