Horrocks & Boyd sponsor children’s fundraising challenge

A practice in Kingston upon Thames has supported a children’s charity fundraising challenge held in the local area.

Horrocks & Boyd donated £3000 to sponsor the Able Child’s Steps for Change Children’s Challenge on 20 September.

The challenge sees families “jog, stroll, roll or run” 5K or 10K along the Thames from Kingston Bridge to Hampton Court Palace – this year the event raised more than £20,000.

The event raises funds for Able Child’s work with a network of African organisations supporting children and young people with disabilities.

Neelum Mehta, dispensing optician, practice manager and director of Horrocks & Boyd, told OT: “As an independent practice in Kingston upon Thames, being part of and supporting our local community is something that is very important to us.”

“When we heard about the Steps for Change Children’s Challenge and the work that Able Child does to help ensure that no child with a disability gets left behind, we felt it was a cause that we really wanted to support,” she said.

The challenge is focused on inclusion and ensuring that everyone can participate – a message that resonated with the practice team.

“We were particularly keen to get behind this event because it combines an important charity message with an opportunity to bring families and the wider Kingston community together,” Mehta said.

Horrocks & Boyd

Jayne Comyn, senior optometrist and director, and Neelum Mehta, dispensing optician, practice manager and director

The practice’s donation supported the running of the event, as well as the wider work of Able Child, and was matched by the Handspark Charitable trust.

The practice team has previously sponsored a golf day for the organisation.

Mehta shared: “For us, it isn’t simply about putting our name on an event. The charity holds a special place in my heart and we want our sponsorship to make a meaningful contribution to something that benefits children and families and promotes inclusion within our local community, while encouraging them to get outside, have fun and raise money for a good cause.”

Our patients are our neighbours, friends and local families

The practice team is proud to support the organisation, with Mehta commenting: “As a 105-year-old independent practice, our patients and the residents of Kingston and surrounding areas have been extremely loyal to us over the years and we would like to give back.”

“We see ourselves as part of Kingston, and supporting initiatives that make a positive difference locally is an important part of who we are,” she added.

Community involvement is important for the independent practice, through local sponsorship and fundraising, supporting foodbanks and being involved in local initiatives.

Mehta said: “Our patients are our neighbours, friends and local families. Some of them have been coming to us since they were very young children themselves and we value the precious relationships we have built with them over many years.”

Able Child

The practice provided a special discount for new adult patients who participated in the challenge. Mehta explained: “We would love to build stronger relationships with more local families and welcome them into our practice for their eye care.”

“We want to be a practice that local families know, trust and feel comfortable turning to for their eye health and being involved in community initiatives such as Steps for Change gives us an opportunity to connect with people in a meaningful way,” she added.