Opticians Join Forces To Support Demelza Hospice

Two of Swale's local Specsavers stores, in Sittingbourne and Sheerness, have joined forces to support local children's charity Demelza.

The stores have chosen the charity as their charity of the year for 2025, and have already started collecting toys in store to donate this festive season.

On Saturday (30th November) the Mayor of Swale, Councillor Ben Martin, popped into The Forum store to support the appeal by dropping in a donation of his own.

Toys will be collected instore until Monday 23rd December, and the teams will be collecting and raising money for the next 12 months too and the store directors – Ophthalmic Director Sharnpal Bains and Retail Director Daniel Bilson – have pledged to match any money donated during December themselves.

Daniel told SFM News: "Ever since I joined the team I’ve been struck by how committed they are to the local communities in Sheerness and Sittingbourne, and they’ve all made me incredibly welcome. We’d all really like to thank the Mayor for making the time to pop in and see us with a donation of his own. Demelza House do an incredible job of supporting young people and their families through tough times, and we want to do all we can to support their work. So if you fancy donating a toy or a few pounds this Christmas, we’d love to see you in store."

If you wish to help Demelza in their Christmas Appeal please visit:- https://www.demelza.org.uk/christmas