Hats off to Colchester opticians supporting brain tumour research

OPTICIANS and audiologists in Colchester recently donned their most eye-catching headgear to raise money for the Brain Tumour Research charity.
Specsavers Colchester took part in the Wear A Hat Day campaign to raise vital funds to help find a cure for the often-fatal disease.
The fundraiser, held at the end of March each year, sees people doing their bit to raise awareness about the disease while brightening up their workplace with all sorts of eccentric headgear.
This year, the team at the Long Wyre Street store decided to host an event for the fundraiser and celebrated the day in style – kitting themselves out with iconic hats alongside a selfie station, lucky dip and cake sale. The store also donated all payments made for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scans on the day to the charity.
So far, the store has raised £475.09 from their efforts, which helps fund dedicated Centres of Excellence that work endlessly to develop treatments, therapies, and cures for all types of brain tumours.
Vimal Patel, Ophthalmic Director at Specavers Colchester, says: ‘We are delighted to be involved in such a wonderful fundraising day for Brain Tumour Research.
‘In eyecare, finding and diagnosing brain tumours is a part of our job, so it’s especially important to us that we raise awareness and much-needed funds for the disease.
‘Brain tumours are indisciminate, they can affect anyone at any age, and they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. We were glad to be able to raise awareness and some much-needed funds.’
According to Brain Tumour Research, around 13,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumours each year – equal to 35 a day.
Wear A Hat Day is one of the UK’s biggest and best-loved brain tumour awareness and fundraising days, bringing people together across the nation as they put on their favourite hats and make a donation, or attend a fundraising hat-themed event.
Since Wear A Hat Day launched in 2010, supporters taking part have raised more than £2.2 million, enabling scientific breakthroughs at Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence and helping Brain Tumour Research push governments to invest more in life-saving research.
Katrina Jones, Head of Community Fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, says: ‘Every day, 35 people will be told they have a brain tumour, and opticians can play a pivotal role in diagnoses. We are hugely thankful for the staff and customers at Specsavers Colchester for helping us fund the fight to find a cure for all types of brain tumour. It’s not too late to get involved in Wear A Hat Day, simply wear a hat, share a selfie and donate £5!’
For more information about Specsavers Colchester, call 01206 763136 or go online at www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/colchester.