Toddler is guest of honour at Rugby optician reopening

A TWO-YEAR-OLD girl with a rare form of eye cancer became the star guest when Vision Express unveiled its upgraded Rugby store.

Ezmai Hopkins, along with mum Stephanie Beasley, helped cut the ribbon to officially open the store at the Clock Towers Shopping Centre on Friday (January 8).

Ezmai was diagnosed with retinoblastona and has already become an ambassador for Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) – a charity supported by Vision Express.

A tumour in her left eye had already become so advanced, the eye had to be removed. Her family, from Tamworth, are now waiting for results of further tests to see if it affected her right eye too.

Stephanie said: “Vision Express does exceptionally valuable work raising awareness of children with eye cancers like Ezmai and fundraising to help CHECT. We had a lovely day helping the team at Vision Express Rugby with their reopening.”

Store director Simon Dubbin said: “It was a pleasure having Ezmai and Stephanie in our newly revamped store. Our thanks go to them for helping with the ribbon-cutting and opening celebrations.”