At Optical Express, care is at the heart of everything we do – we care for our patients, our colleagues, the environment and for the local and global causes we support.
Optical Express has supported hundreds of charitable organisations, both at home and abroad. We are committed to improving the lives of others by dedicating time, capital and services to those most in need. This extends to youth and sporting groups, third sector organisations, fundraising support for research, cancer charities, and support for environmental charities, children’s causes and more.
With almost 130 locations throughout the UK and Ireland, and a number of support offices, our colleagues are passionate about caring for the communities we serve. We have fostered a generous culture as we aim to become the world’s most environmentally and socially conscious eye care provider.
There’s a real feel-good factor when people come together to raise funds, and our charitable giving also extends to donating resources to a number of third sector organisations across the world, and at home.
Our Thanks a Million campaign, launched in 2017, saw Optical Express donate £1 million worth of laser eye surgery to NHS and emergency service workers. The initiative followed a national survey commissioned by Optical Express, which found that people who dedicate their lives to public service 'are most deserving of our thanks'.
In 2019, we became a member of the UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society and we’re committed to action in supporting their work with a number of beach clean activities throughout the UK and Ireland in 2020.
Last year, staff from our head office functions in Glasgow and Cumbernauld hosted a number of dress down days, raising almost £8,000 for local charities such as the Glasgow Care Foundation, Fares 4 Free, Flutterby Foundation, Sightsavers, Crohns & Colitis UK, Alzheimers Scotland, Max’s Wheels and more. And staff at our locations throughout the UK and Ireland, raise thousands of pounds for local community charities each year.
In July 2019, Optical Express donated £100,000 to Race Against Dementia, the charity set up by former Formula 1 legend, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE. The company sponsored a series of 2-hour endurance races held at Larkhall Circuit, with 100% of all proceeds going to Race Against Dementia's pioneering Fellowship programme. This programme actively seeks out early-career scientists with innovative research proposals and supports new approaches to better understanding the prevention and treatment of the diseases underlying dementia. In November, the inaugural Race Against Dementia Gala Dinner , 100% funded by Optical Express, took place in Glasgow at 200 SVS and celebrated the life-time achievements of Sir Jackie Stewart OBE and was attended by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Optical Express also donated £15,000 to STV’s 2019 Children’s Appeal and have been supporting this charity since its launch in 2011, donating hundreds of thousands of pounds. We have donated hundreds of hours of staff time and resources, raising funds for a network of charities across Scotland that support the many children living in poverty.
In 2020 at Optical Express we’re looking forward to continuing to support the STV Children’s Appeal, Race Against Dementia and the Marine Conservation Society, and our staff from all areas of the business will continue to fundraise for those causes close to their hearts in their local areas. So far this year we’ve raised funds for the British Heart Foundation and the Malawi Social Action Fund.
Corporate Social Responsibility