Essilor UK pledges match funding

Essilor has pledged to match fund the first £10,000 raised through this year’s Optics Cycling for Sight initiative.

The annual fundraising event calls on the profession to take to their bikes and collectively cycle 25,000 miles – the circumference of the earth – to raise £25,000 for Optometry Giving Sight. 

Previously known as Optoms Cycling for Sight, the event was established in 2011 by a group of University of Bradford undergraduates. This year the initiative has undergone a rebrand and will now be called Optics Cycling for Sight. 

Practitioners who wish to take part in this year’s challenge are encouraged to cycle as little or as much as they wish between now and World Sight Day on 8 October.

In 2014 the profession covered over 9,000 miles and raised £24,000 for the charity, the equivalent to helping screen and provide spectacles to over 8,000 people who have no access to eye care services. The goal this year is to collectively cycle 25,000 miles and raise £1 for each mile cycled.

Commenting on its match funding pledge, managing director of Essilor UK, Mike Kirkley, said: “It’s a great pleasure to support this wonderful initiative once again, and we hope it will encourage more participants to join and reach the collective 25,000 mile goal.” 

He added: “It’s very rewarding to be part of helping to develop sustainable eye care around the world, and it’s initiatives like this that allow people to take part in an enjoyable challenge whilst making a real difference.”

Regional manager for Optometry Giving Sight in Europe, Donna Power, commented: “On behalf of both charities we are incredibly thankful to Essilor UK for its generous support, but only does this support those that need access to eye care, but also supports those taking part who know their efforts are being doubled.”

Combined events

Introduced last year, a group cycle challenge which took 40 riders through the first stage of the Tour de France and offered practitioners CET points en-route, will return this year.

Organised by Eyecare, the 2015 Tour of Yorkshire event will begin in Bridlington and follow a 173km coastal route to Scarborough. To be held on August 30, with different distance options available, riders will make stops for a Peer Review and a VRICS poster trail worth five CET points.

Practitioners can sign up to one of four routes, covering 40km, 69km, 105km and 173km. Registration costs £40. For more details and to sign up, practitioners should email [email protected]

• To register and take part in Optics Cycling for Sight 2015, visit the Optics Cycling for Sight website.