You may not realise that your local Specsavers store is locally owned and run, and open seven days a week. And the people behind the Specsavers Llanishen and Albany Road stores are very passionate about supporting the local community.

The Albany Road store raised money to support Llanrumney Hall by hosting a flower and chilli sale, all grown and taken from a member of the team’s allotment, and a cake sale, all baked by members of the team. They have also collected food for and donated to Cathays Community Fridge and sponsored Mackintosh Sports Club, a not-for-profit organisation.

Meanwhile, the Llanishen store has set up a book swap where members of the community are welcome to take and donate free books. They also held successful plant and bake sales, as well as an entertainment sale which raised £105.15 for local charity, Holibobs.

Staff are also encouraged to take a paid “volunteer day”, some of which have been used to help with dog walking at Cardiff’s Dog Trust.

Most recently, team members from across all four Cardiff Specsavers stores took part in an eight-hour, 15-mile trek in aid of Alzheimer’s Society and raised £1,182.

Earlier this year, all four Cardiff stores- located on Queen Street, Albany Road, Leckwith and Llanishen- donated £1 to Cardiff Foodbank for every customer that completed a customer feedback survey, raising £1,149.

The Albany Road and Leckwith teams also had collection points for items in-store, including tinned food, toiletries and household goods. In total, they collected more than 31kg of goods for the foodbank.

James Deavall, Specsavers Cardiff director, says: “We’re passionate to raise funds for, and awareness of, important causes like these, especially as we know it means so much to our community. We hope the money we’ve raised will make a difference for those who need it.”

The team has also chosen to support Boomerang– a Cardiff-based charity that aims to tackle poverty, social isolation and homelessness by collecting other items to distribute to those in need.

Specsavers in Cardiff and Penarth will act as a collection point for the charity in the run up to Christmas, encouraging local residents to donate items that can be packaged up and sent out during the festive period. In the past, the charity has supported hundreds of families, including those living in hostels, experiencing homelessness, as well as refugees.

Paul Gwilym, founder of Boomerang, adds: “We are delighted that Specsavers has chosen our Give a Gift Appeal to support through the festive period. Our vision has always been clear, we wish to see smiles on children’s faces by giving them a gift on Christmas day with the generous help of the public.”

If you are a local charity or community group that would like to be supported by Specsavers Cardiff, or would like to find out more information, please email jodie.morgan@specsavers.com