A campaign to raise awareness of the importance of regular eye tests and raise funds for charity has got off to a bright start.

Keira Dixon and her family, from Sible Hedingham, teamed up with opticians Wardale Williams last month to launch the Keira Campaign.

Keira, 17, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in February last year after optometrist Greg Hybel spotted signs of it during an eye test at the Halstead branch of the opticians.

Keira was referred to hospital and had surgery within five days.

As well as raising awareness the campaign is raising funds for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent, which is supporting Keira.

So far more than £1,600 has been collected through sponsorship for Keira’s brother Jamie who is doing the London Marathon this month, £250 from Wardale Williams plus donations made at its branches in Halstead and Sudbury.

The campaign is now being widened to its branch in Haverhill and sister company Observatory the Opticians, which has branches in Southwold, Beccles and Ipswich.

Amanda Dixon, Keira’s mother, said: “I am delighted the campaign has got off to such a good start and we hope to raise as much money as possible for CLIC Sargent who have been a fabulous support to Keira.

“However, we want to raise awareness of the importance of having regular eye examinations because if the signs had not been spotted by Greg when they had Keira might not be here now.”

Donate at a branch or at Jamie’s JustGiving page.