The Big Blind Walk 2018 passed through Frome on Thursday 10th May, as volunteers make their way from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
Frome business Eyetech opticians was involved through their associate company, Eyeplan Ltd, who joined the walk at Frome Market Place and trekked over 20 miles to reach Castle Combe later that day.
The Big Blind Walk is a sight-loss fundraising and awareness initiative, which is being supported by Eyeplan as part of the company’s 20th anniversary celebrations.
The Big Blind Walk began on 29th April and has been organised by eye health campaigner Julian Jackson. Julian lost his sight in 2010 due to a retinal inherited disease and is committed to raising awareness around sight loss. Julian’s walk is continuing for another five weeks, with the aim to reach John O’Groats some time around 22nd June.
The walking team consisted of commercial director Chris Clemence, marketing executives Hayley Blanning and Dorothy Chandler and social media assistant Victoria Mills. All four gathered sponsors for the walk and have so far raised £1,350 between them, with donations still coming in. All funds raised will go to the Big Blind Walk’s nominated organisations, the National Eye Research Centre and social enterprise VisionBridge.
“As eye health specialists, Eyetech wanted to give something back to raise awareness about sight loss and support a fantastic cause,” said Darren Kirton, optometrist and practice director at Eyetech opticians Frome. “With the Big Blind Walk passing so close to our Frome branch, it seemed like a great opportunity to get involved and raise some funds to support Julian Jackson.”
“I am thrilled with Eyeplan’s support,” said Julian Jackson. “This show of commitment is a brilliant example of how supporters can get so enthusiastically behind the Big Blind Walk and through raising awareness of sight loss and fundraising for eye research, can help us all take a step towards creating a future where everyone can see!”
Eyetech independent opticians originally opened on Bath Street in 1989 before moving to its current location in the Market Place. Eyetech also opened a second practice in the new Medical Centre at Enos Way in 2013. For more information please visit www.eye tech-opticians.co.uk.
Eyeplan is the leading provider of monthly payment eye care schemes in the UK. For more information, please visit www.eyeplanassociates.co.uk.
To donate to the Big Blind Walk, please visit: • www.nerc-charity.org.uk/support-chris-clemence • www.nerc-charity.org.uk/support-hayley-blanning • www.nerc-charity.org.uk/support-dorothy-chandler • www.nerc-charity.org.uk/support-victoria-mills
To find out more about the Big Blind Walk please visit www.bigblindwalk.com, www.facebook.com/bigblindwalk or www.twitter.com/bigblindwalk.
