Scots optician urges people to donate old glasses to raise funds for cancer charity

A GLASGOW opticians is launching a new scheme to turn tired old glasses into “good as new” eyewear to raise funds for Beatson Cancer Charity.

Barry Hutcheon, who set up MIKA & Me with his sister Wendy Bremner, is urging people with old specs lying about their house to drop them off at his Park Road store in the West End.

MIKA & Me are specialists in digitally fitting the latest technology Japanese aspheric lenses to “vintage” and designer frames.

Their staff will revamp the eyewear as well as fit new super thin lenses for the glasses’ new owner’s latest prescription.

Barry, whose store stocks all the latest top fashion brands from Christian Dior to Gucci and Calvin Klein, will then sell the recycled specs at his special Beatson Collection display in the shop. 

All proceeds will then be donated to Beatson Cancer Charity which provides expert wellbeing services, therapies and care to cancer patients and their families across Glasgow and the west of Scotland.

MIKA & Me officially launched the Beatson Collection at a 70s night on Thursday, where everything in the shop was £70 and customers including Beatson Cancer Charity ambassadors came along, bringing their own old spectacles to be revamped and sold on for the charity.

Barry said: “My dad’s a retired oncologist so we know the amazing work that Beatson Cancer Charity does. We want to help them, but also do our bit for the circular economy and the environment.

“We think this is a unique way to recycle something which is currently redundant, and raise money for Beatson Cancer Charity.

“In the UK, it’s estimated that as many as 300 million frames have been put away in people’s homes serving no purpose. 

“We recycle clothes, so why not vintage glasses? MIKA & Me can turn these frames into cash and help Beatson Cancer Charity which does so much fantastic work for families across the city and Scotland.

“So if you’ve got vintage glasses stuck in drawers at home, please consider donating them to MIKA & Me and Beatson Cancer Charity.

“It’s a fantastic way to put old pairs of glasses back into use.”

Joyce Ross, corporate partnerships manager at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We are delighted to have the support from MIKA & Me, who have launched a ‘Beatson Collection’ to raise money for our charity.

“Donations like this allow us to work on developing new services to enhance the care and support patients and their families receive during their cancer journey.

“We are grateful to everyone who supports this initiative by MIKA & Me and would encourage anyone with old glasses lying around the house to get involved.”

To donate your old spectacles, please head to MIKA & Me at 56 Park Road, Kelvinbridge, Glasgow West End G4 9JF.