GLASSES were swapped for gears when Stratford opticians saddled up for a charity bike ride challenge.
Colleagues at Specsavers on Wood Street set themselves a team target to cycle 100 miles on a static bike set up outside the store to raise cash for Diabetes UK.
With each team member pedalling approximately five miles toward the goal, and some racking up a few more, they managed more than double their target, reaching a total of just over 200 miles.
To keep spirits high and wheels turning, customers were invited to support the riders via the store’s special ‘hydration station’, where they could purchase drinks for the cyclists. Donations were also made using an in-store QR code and charity buckets circulated by the team throughout the day with the final fundraising total reaching just under £400.
Store director Andrew Eaves said: “What a fabulous day we had raising money for Diabetes UK. Our customers and community were so supportive and we even had people stopping their lorries to put cash in the bucket. The whole team got involved, even our 73 year-old optometrist and he made it look so easy. I’m really proud of the team for the effort they all put in and for the fabulous total raised.”
Diabetes UK is a leading charity dedicated to supporting people living with diabetes, funding life-changing research, and campaigning for better care. One of the lesser-known but serious complications of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, a condition caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to sight loss if not detected and treated early.
Visit www.justgiving.com/page/hayley-beale-1 to donate.
