Specsavers staff get on their bike for charity

Specsavers Ballymena store director, Adrian Murdoch, donned his best cycling gear and took on the 85-mile challenge with around 2,000 other cyclists.

Lap the Lough is a not-for-profit cycle event open to all members of the community, and gives individuals the opportunity to raise money for their chosen charity or cause.

Adrian said: “At Specsavers, we understand how important guide dogs are to those who rely on them, and that’s why I was keen to take part in a challenge like Lap the Lough. Guide Dogs is a cause that I felt very strongly about supporting and I was determined to raise as much money as I could.

“The local community here in Ballymena proved that once again they are phenomenal when it comes to supporting any fundraising events, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who donated money to help me raise £630. This is the longest I have ever cycled for, and the support was great motivation when it started to get tough. Their donations will go to a fantastic cause and are very greatly appreciated.”

Guide Dogs provides mobility and freedom to blind and partially-sighted people, and the charity has been breeding and training guide dogs for more than 75 years. It has provided thousands of dogs to blind and partially-sighted people of all ages and from all walks of life.

The charity also campaigns for the rights of people with visual impairment, educates the public about the importance of eyecare and provides funding for eye disease research.

Liz Taylor, Guide Dogs representative for the Antrim & Ballymena area, adds: “We are simply overwhelmed by the amount raised by Adrian and the whole team at the Ballymena Specsavers store.

“I speak on behalf of the charity and co-fundraiser, June Cherry, when I say a huge thank you to the store and the local community who donated this amount of money. It will be put to very good use.’