Plymouth optometrist heads to Ethiopian road race in aid of eye sight charity

A LOCAL optometrist is gearing up to take part in one of Africa’s biggest road races on 26 November to raise money for Vision Aid Overseas. 

Specsavers Marsh Mills optometrist Charlotte Evans, 23, will be running 10 kilometres at an altitude of 8,000 feet above sea level alongside 40,000 international runners in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. She is taking part in the race to help raise funds to bring affordable and life-changing eyecare to some of Africa’s poorest people.

Charlotte says: ‘I am nervous but also very excited about taking part in the race. It is slightly daunting but all I have to remember is that the funds I raise will go to helping those who desperately need eyecare.‘In the run-up to this race I have been busy raising awareness – we’ve held a raffle to win a holiday in Cornwall, as well as baking cakes and selling them in store. I would like to thank all of the customers and colleagues who have donated funds so far to enable me to race in Ethiopia. It’s wonderful to have such great support’.

Plymouth store director, Dr Josie Forte, says: ‘We are so proud of Charlotte for taking on this amazing challenge and for such an important cause. I’m sure there will be times she will find it hard but we’re completely behind her and look forward to hearing about her experiences when she gets back.’

Vision Aid Overseas is an international charity dedicated to fighting poverty in developing countries by transforming access to eyecare. It is estimated that 670 million people – 10% of the world’s population – are disadvantaged by poor vision and a lack of glasses. For more information on the charity’s work, visit www.visionaidoverseas.org.

If you would like to Sponsor Charlotte then head to https://www.visionaidoverseas.org/Fundraisers/charlotte-evans

To book an appointment at Plymouth Marsh Mills Specsavers, please visit the store at Sainsbury’s, Plymouth Road, Crabtree, PL3 6RL, telephone 01752 227084 or log onto www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/plymouth-marsh-mills.