A PENARTH opticians is providing support to a local rugby team in its bid to acquire much-needed winter training facilities.

The team at Specsavers on Windsor Road is donating £400 to the Penarth Bears Under 12's rugby team, which is seeking to raise £1,000 in total to secure access to indoor training and astro turf facilities during the winter months.

Spearheaded by ophthalmic director Andy Moss, who joined Penarth Specsavers from the Cowbridge store earlier this year, the team hopes that its latest initiative will encourage other local businesses to get involved and help the Penarth Bears secure the funding they desperately need.

Mr Moss said: "Our team at Specsavers Penarth are delighted to be involved with such a worthwhile local cause.

"Sport can play such an important role in a child's development, where they can learn about leadership and teamwork, while getting the health and well-being benefits associated with physical exercise.

"We hope Specsavers' investment can serve as a springboard for other local businesses to get involved and help Penarth Bears Under 12's secure much-needed winter training facilities."

The latest community investment comes off the back of a fundraiser for the Penarth Foodbank, with the store donating £1 for every customer survey, and store manager Kenny Hall taking part in a charity run. In total, the store raised almost £300 for the foodbank.

Mr Moss adds: 'When I was director of the Cowbridge store I was really keen to get out in the community and give back to the locals who support us, so it's great that in my first few months in post in Penarth we've already been able to raise hundreds of pounds for a local foodbank and donate funds to a local rugby team.'

Andy Edwards, coach at Penarth Bears, adds: 'It's amazing that Andy and Specsavers have generously contributed to our age group.

"The culture at our rugby club is always to try and fundraise and look for local companies to sponsor us to source funding for things like training facilities, kit and equipment as this then takes the pressure off parents from having to contribute financially, especially in this current economic climate.

"Our age group hasn't trained for quite a few weeks now since the clocks went back so we're very much looking forward to finding a venue to accommodate our 30+ players through the winter months with the help of the donation and I know all the players are very appreciative.'

To find out more information about Specsavers in Penarth, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/penarth.