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The impacts of the war are being felt around the world and many Ukrainian refugees are now arriving in Spain. They have been able to bring very little with them and have very limited resources. In La Zenia, Alicante, a customer of the local branch of Specsavers Ópticas has taken in a Ukrainian family and they are staying with him in his home. He contacted the store to ask if they could help, as his guests had damaged their glasses as they fled the country.

 

The store staff were moved by this family’s plight and were happy to help. They invited the family into the store for eye tests and to find out what they needed and were pleased to see them safe and well, but in need of some support.

 

Ana Matveeva scratched her glasses while fleeing from the war and so was struggling to see well. The team checked the prescription and replaced the lenses for her. Her father Oleksandr arrived in Spain without his glasses and so the team were happy to be able to give him two pairs of glasses to improve his quality of life during his time in La Zenia. They were delighted to have received a lovely drawing from Ana’s daughter to thank them for their generosity.

 

The store is also currently collecting donations for Ukrainian refugees who are in the area and need to go to the secondary school in Guardamar. The Parent-Teacher Association at IES Las Dunes school will be coordinating this to cover the costs for books and materials while they are here and Specsavers Ópticas in La Zenia, Torrevieja and Guardamar are all collecting donations to support them.

 

Store Manager Reni Zawislak commented, “We’re trying to do our bit to support Ukrainian refugees arriving here in Spain. We welcome donations in store from customers getting eye tests, or having their glasses repaired and of course everyone is welcome to pop in and donate. Our customer is opening up his home to this family and so we were delighted to be able to step up and provide new glasses and replace the lenses for Ana and Oleksander. We wish them so much luck and happiness during their time in Spain and hope that they will be able to get back home soon.”

 

Specsavers Ópticas is located in Calle Unamuno 1, Local 2, La Zenia. There are also stores in Torrevieja and Guardamar del Segura in Costa Blanca South which are collecting donations.

 

Images: Specsavers Ópticas, La Zenia