TWO Galashiels groups are positively glowing following a presentation by local opticians Specsavers.

Staff from a local opticians handed over batches of high-vis vests to the 1st Galashiels Guides last week.

And they also donated a dozen more to the Langlee-based Bees Beyond Boundaries Project.

Store director of Specsavers Galashiels, Stuart Forester, told the Border Telegraph: “Specsavers is proud to be helping with the delivery of an initiative that has the potential to save lives.

“Everyone has a responsibility to make sure both pedestrians and road users have a safe journey and these hi-vis vests are definitely a big step in the right direction.” Around 20 Guides, aged between 10 and 14, meet at Burgh Primary School every week.

And they will use the donated vests for trips and excursions.

The idea to make the donation came from Specsavers optical assistant Emma Rae, an assistant leader with the Guides group in her spare time. She noticed the girls could be difficult to spot in their dark blue uniforms during evening activities, and wanted to help keep them as safe as possible.

A second batch of vests was donated to BEES, a local group which works with disadvantaged children to encourage them to be active in a woodland environment.

The group of 12 children, aged between 8 and 11, meets at Langlee Community Woodland to take part in confidence and esteem building exercises including den building, fire-lighting and blind games.

The vests will be used to keep the youngsters visible on their regular walks from Langlee Primary to the woodland.

Mr Forester added: “All of the staff thoroughly enjoyed their time with the children and I’m so pleased we’ve been able to spread the message of staying safe and being seen to local pupils.”