01 July 2026
A group of six practitioners from Newmedica in Suffolk teamed up to run 13.1 miles wearing sight loss simulation glasses to fundraise for Suffolk Sight.
Covering the half marathon distance, the team completed the Orwell Challenge last month (28 June).
The funds raised will be used to support the charity in recruiting a community sight loss adviser, a role that supports people with visual impairment to maintain independence, rebuild confidence and navigate daily life.
The spectacles practitioners wore, which are also known as sim specs, are designed to simulate sight loss conditions such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration.
Senior industry engagement manager at Newmedica Suffolk, Laura Roberds, who took part in the fundraising, explained that by completing the challenge wearing sim specs, the team aimed to “give others a clearer understanding of the realities of sight loss.”
She shared: “Wearing simulation glasses made the challenge significantly harder – but that’s exactly the point. This is about more than completing a half marathon. It’s about helping people understand what living with sight loss can feel like and why practical, community-based support is so important.”
Those who completed the challenge alongside Roberds (pictured) included Abi Iron, AMD clinical manager, Hannah Lewis, senior operations manager, and Anne Reynolds, estates, facilities and procurement manager.
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