RESIDENTS at The Hollies Care Home in Accrington are seeing in a merry Christmas and a happy new year with their new digital tablet gifted to them by a local Specsavers store earlier this year.

The Hollies Care Home, which specialises in many forms of care including nursing dementia, respite, and daycare, said that over the course of this year the tablet has helped residents at the home to make countless video calls to family members, which has been ‘invaluable to them during these difficult times.’

To raise the funds for the tablet, staff from Specsavers Accrington held a fundraiser and walked more than 75,000 steps between them in their spare time, managing to raise £300 via their Go Fund Me page.

Specsavers Accrington store director Jodie Conroy said: “Unfortunately care home visits have been severely curtailed due to the virus, which is why we decided to donate to Hollies Care Home, a place that is very close to our hearts.

“We hope that our donation shows just how much we at Specsavers in Accrington are very appreciative and grateful for everything that the staff have done.

“We are delighted that residents have been enjoying the freedom that the device gives them.”

As an essential health service, Specsavers Accrington has remained open for care throughout this year’s lockdowns.

In line with NHS recommendations, Specsavers say their employees have been using PPE throughout the stores, wear face masks and other PPE during tests, and all testing equipment and frames are thoroughly sanitised before and after each use.

Customers meanwhile have been asked to request an appointment in advance by phone or online through the Specsavers website.

To find out more, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/accrington.