Community

Founders Doug and Mary Perkins have always acknowledged that Specsavers Optical Group thrives on being based in Guernsey and how much their local workforce has given them, and the company is renowned for its support of the island community.

As well as supporting numerous charities, Specsavers is sponsor of several annual premier events, such as the Race for Life, which it also helps organise. Over the years this has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK and this year was a sell-out, with 2,000 women and children involved.

Specsavers' founder Mary Perkins, who was awarded the Rotary International Community and Vocational Service Award for her outstanding service to the local community, said: "We recognise that without the support of islanders, Specsavers wouldn't be the success it is today. We understand the value of corporate social responsibility, which is why we work hard to give something back. Many of the people we work with directly in the community are or become employees of the company." Over the past 10 years alone, Specsavers has contributed more than £1m to charitable causes.

After many years helping to raise thousands of pounds for Children on Need, Specsavers Optical group formed its own local charity - Specsavers Children's Charitable Foundation - to ensure that money raised for needy and disadvantaged children could remain within the Bailiwick. very year we raise more than £20,000 for local causes, many of which are small, confidential donations to help support the children of single parents and those in financial distress.

Staff act as mentors for Les Beaucamps Secondary School pupils.
Training facilities provided for Young Enterprise Group.
Work experience offered to students.
Support for the Guernsey Majorettes helped them achieve national status at the British Isles Baton Twirling Association Championships.
Support for Bike-to-Work day and Road Safety Week.
Christmas lunch for Oakvale School.

St Andrew's School sensory garden.
St Peter Port School's annual achievement awards.
Annual Design-An-Ad competition for local students.
2005 Guernsey Youth Games.
Sensory Gardens at Rondin School.
Liberation Dance.