All fun and games

Eye care in some of the most deprived regions will be boosted by a £13,000 sum raised by The Hakim Group.

The organisation, which partners with independent practices, raised the money at its second annual charity barbecue in Staffordshire.

The £13,000 will be given to Vision Aid Overseas and the North West Relief Trust.

Hakim Group chief executive, Imran Hakim, told OT that: "Both charities deliver invaluable eye care services to some of the most deprived areas on earth. Without these services, thousands would go through life without the gift of sight.

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to contribute to the great work they do.”

The group was aiming to raise £10,000, so the extra funds came as a pleasant surprise, he added.

“We’ve been blown away by the generosity shown at this year’s event and I’m delighted to have beaten our target by £3000,” Mr Hakim said, adding: “The practices have been doing their own individual fundraising, which is still coming in, so no doubt this number will grow exponentially over the next month!”

The day’s events were inspired by film The Hunger Games, with 200 practice staff and patients acting as “tributes” and participating in the ‘Hakim Games’ that required them to navigate courses of inflatable objects and mounds of foam.

“I would like to thank everyone who attended for helping to make this such a fantastic event, particularly our charity committee. Without them, this event would not have been possible,” Mr Hakim concluded.

Image credit: The Hakim Group