FACE masks didn’t stop the team at Specsavers Ludlow from getting creative as part of National Smiles Day to raise money for the mother and baby unit at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham.

Customers visiting the store at 33 Bull Ring were greeted by members of the team sporting a host of decorated masks, designed to raise a smile, and in return were asked for donations.

The team has chosen to support the unit because their store supervisor, Rebecca Lewis is currently there with her new born twins.

“Rebecca is such an integral part of our team that we wanted to do something to show our support,” says store director at Specsavers in Ludlow, Nicola Aubrey.

“Thanks to the generosity of our customers, we collected £80 on the day,” she said.

“As we work in a healthcare setting, we’re advised to still wear masks so we thought we’d use them to help with some fundraising. Hopefully, the colourful designs made lots of people smile!’

“The whole neonatal team at Heartlands have been amazing and I can’t thank them enough,’ said Ms Lewis.

“The care and support they’ve given to the twins and also us as parents has been priceless.

“I’m very touched my colleagues at Specsavers Ludlow have raised money for the unit.”

The unit at Heartlands Hospital in East Birmingham provides care and support for women in childbirth.

Willow Suite is a midwifery lead unit operating as an independent birth centre within the Princess Of Wales Maternity Unit, providing care for women with low-risk pregnancies.

It comprises of three birth rooms, two of which have en-suite facilities; the largest room also has a birthing pool. Each room has a birth ball, floor mats and massage instruments available to facilitate active labour.

Women with more complex health problems and a higher risk go to a consultant led unit whilst those considered to be low risk have their babies in midwife led units.