A PENARTH optician has provided a local rugby team with financial support in a bid to get better winter training facilities.

Specsavers on Windsor Road donated £400 to the under-12 Penarth Bears rugby team, who are looking to raise £1,000 to secure indoor training facilities.

The club are looking for astro turf facilities during the winter months.

Ophthalmic director Andy Moss joined Penarth Specsavers earlier this year and is delighted to help the Penarth Bears.

He said: “Our team at Specsavers Penarth are delighted to be involved with such a worthwhile local cause.

“Sport can play such an important role in a child’s development, where they can learn about leadership and teamwork while getting the health and well-being benefits associated with physical exercise.

“We hope Specsavers investment can serve as a springboard for other local businesses to get involved and help Penarth Bears Under 12s secure much-needed winter training facilities.”

Andy Edwards, coach at Penarth Bears is delighted with the donation from the opticians.

He added: “It is amazing that Andy and Specsavers have generously contributed to our age group. The culture at our rugby club is always to try and fundraise and look for local companies to sponsor us to source funding for things like training facilities, kits, and equipment.

“This then takes the pressure off parents from having to contribute financially, especially in this current economic climate.

“Our age group hasn’t trained for quite a few weeks now since the clocks went back so we're very much looking forward to finding a venue to accommodate our 30+ players through the winter months with the help of the donation and I know all the players are very appreciative.”