A CHARITY padel tournament has raised £710 to support people experiencing homelessness.
The event was organised by Specsavers directors Raj Gill and Dominic Doran, who run stores in Bingley, Keighley, and Shipley.
The Bradford fundraiser supported the charity Crisis and brought together staff from Specsavers branches in Cleckheaton, Chesterfield, Crossgates, Fox Valley, Halifax, Otley, and Skipton.
Mr Gill said: “The team at Bingley, along with our sister branches in Keighley and Shipley, pride ourselves on being an active part of our amazing communities here in Aire Valley.
“Whether it’s community coffee mornings, ice bath challenges, raffles, or bake sales, giving back to the people that support our stores is in our DNA.
“This is our first padel tournament but, given the success, it most certainly won’t be our last.
“Thanks again to all our amazing employees, as well as the generous team at Strike Padel, with you all we wouldn’t have been able to have done it.”
Strike Padel in Bradford supported the event by offering a discount on court prices and free racquet and ball services.
The tournament saw 11 teams compete, with each two-player team donating £40 to take part.
The winning team, Team Hawkins, earned the chance to play a final match against the professional players at Strike Padel.
Specsavers and Crisis are working together to improve access to eye care for people experiencing homelessness, as one in three individuals in this group need glasses.
Tamsin Baxter, executive director of brand, marketing and fundraising at Crisis, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in the tournament as the funds raised will help us continue to provide vital services to people experiencing homelessness.
“Many people experiencing homelessness face significant barriers to healthcare and can often go years without an eye test.
“Being able to access ear and eye care clinics can make a big difference to a person’s quality of life and mark a step on their journey out of homelessness.
“Thanks to Specsavers’ ongoing support we can help people rebuild their lives away from the trauma and indignity of homelessness.”
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Specsavers is calling for policy changes to remove barriers that prevent people experiencing homelessness from accessing essential eye care.
The company’s long-term goal is to influence policy and systems so people affected have access to free ear checks, eye tests and glasses, and replacement glasses if they are broken, lost or stolen.
