OPTICIANS are encouraging their customers to help make a change with a charity sunglasses event.

In April 2014, three-year-old Shiv Thakrar was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – a condition that affects one in 3,600 boys and results in muscle degeneration and premature death.

Currently there is no cure, but his family have launched the Smile with Shiv organisation to help raise awareness of the condition and raise as much money as possible to further research into it.

Now New Vision Opticians, in Alexandra Avenue, Rayners Lane, have joined the family in their fundraising efforts with a Prada sunglasses sale on Saturday, September 12.

More than 600 pairs of designer sunglasses will be available at the shop, from junior to adult collections, along with the optician’s regular brands all at a discount price.

There will also be a charity raffle draw, including a pair of designer sunglasses as the first prize, along with gifts donated by Harrow businesses including restaurant vouchers, free eye tests, two hours of karaoke sessions and a free cake.

Raffle prizes will be drawn at 5pm, and winners will be announced at the event and on the opticians facebook page.

Food and drink will be available for customers throughout the day, with the shop open from 9am to 6pm.

Aarti Sawhney, whose family runs the opticians, said: “Shiv is a lovely little boy who has a muscle disease.

“He is only four but they might not be able to find a cure in time to help him.”

So far the Smile for Shiv has raised more than £24,000, with teams of supporters also adding to the thousands.

In March, New Vision raised more than £2,300 with shoppers buying sunglasses at a discounted rate as well as making donations.

There was also a raffle, and cakes were handed out to shoppers and passers-by in exchange for donations.