Formby Action Group Receives 35 Hi-Vis Vests 2026

Key Points

• Rage Against Rubbish, an activist group based in Formby, has been handed over 35 custom-made hi-vis vests by Specsavers Formby.
• These hi-vis vests are worth £290 and have been provided by Specsavers Formby.
• Rage Against Rubbish helps to spread awareness about littering, damage to environment, parking offences and anti-social behaviour.
• The group assists in the protection of Formby beach and local wildlife.
• The volunteers distribute litter bags to people visiting the beach.
• The group is also spreading the message of “Whatever you take to the beach, you bring back from the beach”.
• Steve Kyffin, co-founder and chairman of Rage Against Rubbish, has thanked Specsavers Formby for their support in the campaign.
• Zetun Arif, O.D. at Specsavers Formby, has stated that hi-vis vests will help volunteers in becoming more visible and safer.
• The hi-vis vests have been provided so that volunteers could easily become visible to tourists, even in bad weather conditions.

Formby (Liverpool standard) September 16, 2026 – Formby action group Rage Against Rubbish has received 35 branded hi-vis vests from local opticians Specsavers Formby to support its work on litter, environmental damage, illegal parking and anti-social behaviour.

The vests were paid for by the management team at Specsavers Formby and donated to the community group at a total cost of £290. The group plans to use them during its public activities, including its work to protect Formby beach and raise awareness among visitors.

Rage Against Rubbish regularly engages with people across Formby about issues affecting the town. One of its main activities involves handing out rubbish bags to visitors at Formby beach during the summer. The group encourages people to take responsibility for the waste they bring with them by following the message: “Whatever you take to the beach, you bring back from the beach.”

The donated clothing is designed to give the volunteers a more consistent appearance while making them easier for visitors to identify during beach activities and other community events.

Why did Specsavers Formby donate the vests?

According to the report published by LiverpoolWorld, the partnership began during a routine eye appointment involving Steve Kyffin, joint founder and chairman of Rage Against Rubbish, and Zetun Arif, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Formby.

Kyffin reportedly told Arif that the group wanted to increase its presence during the year and was looking for a local business to sponsor new hi-vis vests. Arif offered to help, leading to Specsavers Formby funding the 35 personalised vests.

Kyffin said the group was pleased to have support from a local business. As reported by LiverpoolWorld, he said: “It is fantastic to have a local business supporting our efforts and this year we will be highly visible and looking the part thanks to Specsavers Formby.”

His comments reflected the group’s intention to improve its public presence while continuing to work with residents and visitors in areas where environmental and community concerns have been raised.

The vests also provide a practical benefit. Volunteers working near roads, car parks, paths or busy visitor areas can be more easily recognised when wearing high-visibility clothing.

What work does Rage Against Rubbish carry out in Formby?

Rage Against Rubbish is a local community group focused on issues affecting Formby and its surrounding public spaces. Its activities include educating visitors about littering, environmental damage, illegal parking and anti-social behaviour.

The group’s work at Formby beach is particularly focused on reducing the amount of rubbish left behind by visitors. During the summer, volunteers hand out rubbish bags and remind beachgoers to remove their waste when they leave.

The group’s campaign message, “Whatever you take to the beach, you bring back from the beach”, is intended to encourage visitors to protect the area for residents, other beach users and local wildlife.

The activity also gives volunteers an opportunity to speak directly with visitors. By making the group easier to identify, the hi-vis vests may help people understand who is distributing the bags and providing information about responsible behaviour at the beach.

The group also raises awareness of issues beyond litter. Its stated areas of concern include damage to the local environment, illegal parking and anti-social behaviour, all of which can affect residents and the experience of people visiting Formby.

What did the group say about the sponsorship?

Steve Kyffin said that he had discussed the group’s plans with Zetun Arif during his eye appointment. He explained that Rage Against Rubbish wanted to increase its presence and needed support from a local sponsor.

As reported by LiverpoolWorld, Kyffin said: “Without hesitation she offered to help, resulting in Specsavers Formby paying for 35 branded hi-vis vests.”

He added that the sponsorship would allow volunteers to be more visible while carrying out their work. Kyffin said the group would be “highly visible and looking the part” as a result of the support from Specsavers Formby.

The comments credited the opticians with responding quickly to the group’s request and providing practical assistance for its planned activities.

What did Specsavers Formby say about the donation?

Zetun Arif, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Formby, said the business was pleased to support Rage Against Rubbish.

As reported by LiverpoolWorld, Arif said:

“We were delighted to step up and support Rage Against Rubbish with some hi-vis vest donations.”

She said the opticians had seen the value of the work carried out by the group in the local community. Arif added that when Kyffin explained that the group needed support from a local business, Specsavers Formby decided to become involved.

Arif also pointed to the safety and awareness benefits of the new clothing. She said:

“With these new hi-vis vests they’ll be safe in low-visibility weather and also stand out to tourists to raise awareness of their campaign.”

The statement indicates that the donation was intended to serve two purposes: helping the group’s volunteers remain visible while working outdoors and making its environmental message more noticeable to visitors.

How will the hi-vis vests be used?

The 35 vests are expected to be worn by Rage Against Rubbish volunteers during activities connected with the group’s campaign work. These include handing out rubbish bags at Formby beach and speaking to visitors about litter and environmental responsibility.

The vests will also give the group a unified appearance. Matching clothing can help members of the public distinguish official volunteers from other beach users, particularly in busy areas or during organised community activity.

The support may be especially useful during poor weather or periods of reduced visibility. However, the available report does not state a detailed timetable for when the vests will be used or list every event planned by the group.

A representative of Rage Against Rubbish collected the vests from the Specsavers Formby store. The donation consisted of 35 bespoke sponsored vests, with the reported total cost being £290.

How can visitors support the Formby beach campaign?

Visitors can support the group’s campaign by taking their rubbish home or using appropriate waste facilities after spending time at the beach. The group’s central message is that people should bring back whatever they take to the beach.

Visitors can also pay attention to guidance from volunteers and avoid behaviour that could damage the local environment or disturb other people using the area. The group’s wider concerns include littering, environmental damage, illegal parking and anti-social behaviour.

The report does not announce any new rules or enforcement measures connected with the donation. Instead, the vests are intended to support the group’s existing educational and community work.

What contact details were provided for Specsavers Formby?

LiverpoolWorld reported that Specsavers Formby is locally owned and run. The store can be contacted on 01704 832311.

The report also provided the Specsavers website as a source of further information about the Formby branch.

What is the background to the Specsavers Formby donation?

The donation follows a conversation between Steve Kyffin and Zetun Arif during Kyffin’s routine eye appointment. Kyffin explained that Rage Against Rubbish wanted to increase its presence and was seeking sponsorship for hi-vis vests.

Specsavers Formby then agreed to fund 35 personalised vests. The reported cost of the donation was £290.

Rage Against Rubbish is involved in community education across Formby. Its work covers littering, environmental damage, illegal parking and anti-social behaviour, with beach protection forming one of its main activities.

During the summer, volunteers distribute rubbish bags to visitors at Formby beach. The group’s campaign is based on encouraging people to remove the waste they bring with them, helping to protect residents, visitors and wildlife.

Specsavers Formby’s contribution provides the group with visible clothing rather than funding a new campaign or introducing a separate environmental scheme. The reported statements from Kyffin and Arif describe the donation as a local business supporting an existing community initiative.

How could the donation affect Formby residents and visitors?

The new vests could make Rage Against Rubbish volunteers easier to identify at Formby beach and during other community activities. This may help visitors recognise the people distributing rubbish bags and sharing information about responsible behaviour.

For residents, the donation represents practical support for a local group addressing concerns about litter, environmental damage, illegal parking and anti-social behaviour. Its effect will depend on how frequently the volunteers use the vests and how visitors respond to the group’s advice.

The clothing may also improve visibility when volunteers are working in low-visibility weather, although the donation does not replace formal safety arrangements or any official enforcement role. The group remains focused on education and public awareness rather than announcing new penalties or regulations.