A KIDDERMINSTER teenager and her father who have battled a rare eye cancer were guests of honour as an opticians embarked on a fundraising drive.

Eighteen year-old Jodie Hare and her father Adrian joined the Kidderminster Vision Express team as they started on a fundraising mission during World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week.

The father and daughter joined the team to rally support, as the optical retailer’s 400-plus stores nationwide dedicated the week to supporting charity partner, the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT).

Local ambassadors for CHECT, Jodie and Adrian visited the store, to support the Kidderminster branch in its fundraising efforts.

Jodie, as well as her brother, Jacob, were diagnosed with a rare eye cancer, called retinoblastoma, as babies. The siblings inherited it from their father Adrian, who had to have one of his eyes removed when he was younger.

Jodie and Jacob underwent chemotherapy and laser therapy before they were nine months old and surgeons managed to save their eyes.

Throughout the week, the team at the optical retailers raised money by inviting the public to correctly guess the name of a giant teddy. A donation-only glasses ‘MOT’ was also on offer, plus free family eye tests.

Claire Weaver, store manager, said: “Our thanks go to Jodie and Adrian for visiting the store and helping to fundraise with us.

“It’s a great morale boost for the team to do something meaningful for such a good cause, and having Jodie and Adrian here really spurred us on – every single penny we raised will count, and we thank the local community for digging deep to support us.”

Joy Felgate, CEO of CHECT, said: “In the UK, almost every week a child under five is diagnosed with retinoblastoma.

“Retinoblastoma is often unheard of by parents, so World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week is important to focus attention on the vital signs to spot, and help raise funds so we can continue to support families and individuals affected by this devastating and life-threatening condition.”