The Bermuda Optical Company is celebrating 60 years of business by donating $6,000 to local charities.

Managing director Timothy Kempe and vice-president Nicholas Comber presented $3,000 cheques to both the Bermuda Society for the Blind and the Salvation Army.

“We have often given to the Bermuda Society for the Blind,” he said. “More recently we have noticed the struggle that the Salvation Army has been having with the Government grant being cut, so we thought we should step up and help out.

“They do amazing work and it would be a tragedy if they were to close up shop in Bermuda.”

“The Government is doing all they can to turn things around, but it’s up to the private sector to do what they can and give back.” Mr Comber added: “When we saw that they were in financial difficulty, it just made sense.”

The Bermuda Optical Co was first started in 1955 by William Coltman and Bill Kempe at a time when the only place to buy glasses was at the hospital.

While it was initially located on Burnaby Hill, it later moved to its present home in the Mechanics Building on Church Street, where it has remained for the past 55 years.

Mr Kempe said that the company was fortunate to be staffed entirely by Bermudians.

“We have been in business a long time,” Mr Kempe said. “All of our staff have been very loyal and have been with us for a very long time. I think we’re a good representation of the local economy.

“We have had trouble since 2008, everyone has, but we have come through and we are ready for the future.”