AN OPTICIAN in Musselburgh has started an in-store fundraising initiative in memory of a beloved former colleague.

Specsavers Musselburgh is raising funds for the Sleep Apnoea Trust – a patient support charity run mainly by volunteers – in memory of David Wills, an optician who worked at the store for more than 10 years.

Mr Wills, from Edinburgh, sadly passed away in January due to an unexpected heart attack at the age of 44, leaving his colleagues “devastated” by the “huge loss”.

To honour his memory, the store will be collecting donations for the remainder of the month, with all customers invited to contribute to the Sleep Apnoea Trust to help them continue their support of sleep apnoea patients and their families.

Amy Brolly, optometry director at Specsavers Musselburgh, said: “Dave was a wonderful character who was loved by everyone who knew him.

“Customers would often be overheard laughing at his jokes – his big personality was famous in the store!

“I hope that by raising awareness of sleep apnoea, we can keep Dave’s memory alive and do him and his family proud, as well as helping the Sleep Apnoea Trust continue their hard work.”

Any customer who visits the store before the end of March can also enter a £2-per-ticket raffle draw to win one of two pairs of designer-branded sunglasses up to the value of £149.

Sleep apnoea is a disorder in which pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep occur more often than normal.

Each pause can last for a few seconds to a few minutes and can happen many times a night.

It is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and sudden, unexpected death.

People can donate to the Sleep Apnoea Trust by visiting the Specsavers Musselburgh store at 156 High Street.