A STAFF member at the Specsavers store in Pembroke Dock has raised £1,200 for Velindre Cancer Centre.

Optical Assistant Lucy Swindlehurst recently completed her first-ever sky dive in aid of the charity.

Twenty one year-old Lucy and the team at the Pembroke Dock store have been actively raising funds for Velindre since April this year.

In a bid to raise the funds, the store offered customers free repairs and adjustments to frames over the last few months, as well as a glasses cleaning service, and in return asked for a small donation to the fundraising effort.

In addition, Lucy’s grandma knitted a selection of cuddly bears, which were sold at the store. Customers were also encouraged to buy raffle tickets, with the top prize a hamper filled with lots of delicious goodies.

Store director Gary Owen, said: “The team was really keen to support Lucy. It was certainly a challenge, and not one that everyone would be brave enough to complete.

“I would like to thank all of those who donated and supported the store’s fundraising effort, and helped Lucy reach such an impressive overall total.”

Lucy added: "Specsavers is a community opticians and, sadly, every community is affected by cancer, and that’s why I felt so strongly about supporting Velindre.

“I am delighted to have raised such an amazing amount of money and would like to thank everyone who supported me on this challenge. I am already looking forward to planning my next sky dive!”

Specsavers is an official fundraising partner of Velindre. All proceeds raised will now go towards vital cancer research and to provide care for cancer suffers across Wales.