Optical Express is donning its dancing shoes to sponsor TV star Lorraine Kelly’s 24-hour ceilidh fundraising challenge in aid of the STV’s Children’s Appeal.After the success of last year’s Shimmy across Scotland which raised £100,000 for the Appeal, the ceilidh challenge will see Lorraine dancing her way around the country with the support of Optical Express to raise money for children living in poverty across Scotland.
From the Gay Gordons to Strip the Willow, Lorraine will be getting Scotland moving with 24 hours of ceilidh dancing. The TV presenter will be encouraging groups not only in Scotland, but also internationally, to host their own ceilidh events on the 11th-12th September to help Scotland’s young people.
Optical Express has supported the STV’s Children Appeal since it was launched in 2011 but the new partnership marks a significant increase in the support provided by the eye care provider.
As part of the partnership Optical Express has pledged to raise £100,000 for this year’s Appeal. Clinics across the country will hold their own fundraising challenges including a glittering black tie event – including of course, a ceilidh – which will take place at 200SVS in Glasgow.
Optical Express is also donating the use of its customer contact centre facilities in Glasgow, where staff will work voluntarily to field donation calls. Lorraine’s 24 hour ceilidh will be captured by STV’s cameras for the STV Children’s Appeal programme to be broadcast later this year.
The STV Children’s Appeal was established by STV and the Hunter Foundation not only to support children and young people affected by child poverty in Scotland but also to raise awareness of the issue. One in five children in Scotland are affected by poverty – amounting to more than 200,000 young people.
The STV Appeal has raised more than £8.2million since it was founded.
Elizabeth Partyka of the STV Appeal said: “Optical Express has supported the Appeal since its launch in 2011, helping to make a difference in the lives of over 37,000 children and young people in Scotland affected by poverty.
“The support we have received from Optical Express over the last four years has been absolutely brilliant. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has fundraised or donated so far and we look forward to working with Optical Express to make 2015 the best year yet.”
David Moulsdale, Chairman and Chief Executive of Optical Express, said: “We are extremely proud to be increasing the support we provide to the STV Children’s Appeal.
“Being part of the STV Children’s Appeal is very important to Optical Express. We’ve been involved with the Appeal since it launched back in 2011 because we passionately believe that tackling child poverty in Scotland will help to ensure that young people have the best possible opportunities while growing up.
“We can’t wait to see Lorraine dance her way across the country and we look forward to undertaking our own fundraising challenges throughout our network of Optical Express clinics in Scotland.”
