Bracknell

The Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest donned her sunglasses and learnt all about eye health last month as part of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's Shades Day.

Bracknell Cllr Mrs Gillian Birch joined thousands of young people and adults all over the country, who put their shades and sun visors on to raise awareness of the need to protect their eyes while out in the sun on Shades Day (Monday, June 25)

A raffle and collection for The Guide Dogs for the Blind was also held on the day, where staff at Bracknell Forest Borough Council's Easthampstead House raised more than £190. The money will be used to help train a guide dog puppy called Simba - who is officially sponsored by the Council and visited Easthampstead House on Shades Day.

As well as fundraising for the charity the day provided the opportunity to spread the word that eye protection is important for everyone as exposure to sunlight for more than five hours a day in the summer can lead to eye conditions like cataracts.

Cllr Mrs Birch, said: "Shades Day is a fantastic way to both raise money for Guide Dogs and highlight the importance of wearing your sunglasses."

Tom Pey, Guide dog owner and Guide Dogs' Director of Public Policy and Development, said: "Educating people in how to protect their sight is important, and one simple way to keep eyes healthy is to wear your sunglasses. If you are outside and the light is so bright that you have to squint or turn your head away, then you know you have to put on your shades."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council