A LUDLOW optician marked its milestone tenth birthday with a party in store and raised almost £200 for Hope House Hospice and Brain Tumour Research.

Staff at Specsavers, in the Bull Ring, invited customers and passers-by to sample the homemade cakes on offer, in return for a donation to the charity.

The store was decorated with balloons and the team wore colourful clothing as they celebrated a decade of business in the town.

“Ten years is something we wanted to celebrate, as well as giving us the opportunity to say thank you to our customers who have supported us during that time,’ says store director Nicola Aubrey.

“The team had so much fun, and it was lovely to see how many members of the community came down and got involved. The charity offers end-of-life support to families in need, so we hope the money we raised will make a difference in contributing to a great cause.”

Hope House Hospice provides care and support to life-limited children, young people and their families from Shropshire, Cheshire, North and Mid Wales.

A range of services is offered, including respite and end-of-life care at the hospices and within the family home. There is also support such as counselling, advocacy and the promotion of children, young people’s and carers’ rights. The Hospice is heavily dependent on charity fundraising.

Bereavement support is also offered to all children, young people and family members.