Workers in Birmingham will throw off their dark suits and don the most garish, brightly-coloured outfits they own on Friday to mark Wear Bright for Sight Day.
As part of the annual fund-raising day in aid of Birmingham Focus, they will join thousands of others across the region to raise money for local people with sight impairments, by pledging £2 to wear their most outrageously-bright clothes.
Uniforms too will be cast aside as schoolchildren take part for a £1 donation.
According to the organisation, which supports more than 30,000 adults and children with sight impairment in and around Birmingham, and also their families and carers, an estimated one in four people in Birmingham aged over 75 need support for sight impairment.
This can affect anyone at any time in life and experts predict the figure will soon rise because of factors including increasing levels of people with diabetes and glaucoma.
Samantha Kendall, spokeswoman for Birmingham Focus, said: "We want to brighten up the entire city on May 9 knowing that, for every loud shirt, bright tie or wacky outfit worn, the charity will get a donation towards helping people who, because of their sight impairment, struggle to do everyday tasks that we often take for granted.
"We have been lucky to have the support of many businesses in the past and we hope to get as many organisations in Birmingham involved as possible."
Last year more than £8,000 was raised through the event, with Birmingham’s Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress switching their usual regalia for fun.
* For information about the event or how to donate money to the Wear Bright for Sight Appeal, visit www.birminghamfocus.org.uk , email info@birminghamfocus.org.uk or phone 0121 478 5200.
