An SOS call from Francesca Fulgoni’s optician’s practice in Abergavenny, South Wales, to Norville’s Gloucester optical laboratory at 4.45pm in the afternoon with an urgent request was one of the most satisfying jobs ever for the practice and the lab.

Francesca, who runs the family opticians business with her Dad, John, had been contacted by Angela Downward, 59, an Abergavenny nurse, with a pressing need for specs. She had been called to work on the local Covid intensive care ward and desperately needed help with her vision.

Swinging into action, Francesca contacted Norvilles, an optical lab in Gloucester which she thought could help – and they didn’t disappoint.

“This nurse was desperate and found us on the local facebook page. I was so relieved to find that Norvilles could rush the job through – they were amazing. The surfacing lab was about to turn the machines off but instead they walked the lenses through from each stage of processing. I drove to Ross to collect the specs and someone from Norvilles came from Gloucester to meet me there and hand over the specs. Once I had them I met Angela at the practice and we sorted out the frames and then I glazed them for her – completing the job at 8pm that night,” said Francesca, a dispensing optician.

“It left us all with a warm glowy feeling that we had literally gone the extra mile.”

The nurse, Angela Downward, posted on her facebook page – “What a fantastic person you are Francesca. 

‘‘I have been really struggling this week in the hospital. 

‘‘Having been lucky enough, late yesterday, to find you and explain the situation I was in, what you did for me was wonderful.

‘‘I never thought you could get the lens that quickly, and that was only because you went full out to help, as well as seeing you late last night at your premises.  I cannot thank you enough – in normal circumstances I would have given you a big hug.”