Specsavers take on their second sponsored walk for RSBC

Last year, 12 team members from Specsavers Kilburn took part in a sponsored walk to raise money for RSBC and the National Deaf Children’s Society. They visited 13 other Specsavers stores, covering a total distance of 20 miles. Together, they raised £1,500, an incredible achievement.


This year, on the 22^nd of June, they’re doing another, and this time including more stores. 22 stores, covering 30 miles. We spoke to their Optometrist and Practice Director, Parus to find out what inspired their first sponsored walk and why they wanted to do a second fundraiser this year.

Why did you decide to take on this fundraising challenge?

I was already aware of the fantastic work that RSBC does and we wanted our fundraising efforts to support a charity that aligns so closely with what we do every day - looking after our communities sight and hearing.

As an Optometrist and Practice Director, my team and I are passionate about delivering sight and hearing services to our patients. We see first-hand the impact it can have on people's lives, so supporting a charity that helps children and young people living with vision impairment felt like a natural fit.

The original idea actually came from a conversation during a quiet Sunday at work. A lot of us had become more health conscious and were trying to be more active, and I'd had the idea of doing a sponsored walk for quite some time. Sitting with our store manager, looking at Google Maps and plotting routes between stores, we realised it was something we could actually make happen.

Why RSBC?

Through learning more about the charity, we've gained a much deeper understanding of the barriers that children with vision impairment can face. Whether that's difficulties in getting support in school, feeling excluded socially, or not having access to the same opportunities as their peers, these challenges can be significant. RSBC provides practical and emotional support to help families overcome those barriers.

Our fundraising to support RSBC is a very small part of that journey but the work RSBC does is phenomenal. They continue to support children, young people and their families throughout their journey, helping them navigate challenges and build confidence as they grow. Every child's experience is different, which is why personalised support is so important.

Could you tell us a bit more about last year’s event?

The lead-up to last year’s walk was really exciting. We organised custom t-shirts and there was a genuine buzz among the team as the day approached. Of course, we were hoping for good weather, but as is often the case with 'British weather’, we were met with torrential downpour from start to finish! Thankfully, that didn't dampen anyone's spirits. The atmosphere was fantastic, and we all kept each other motivated as we made our way from store to store.

One of the most memorable parts of the day was the support we received from colleagues along the route. Every store welcomed us warmly, whether that was with words of encouragement, snacks to keep us going, or simply taking the time to chat about the challenge. It was clear that people wanted to get involved and support the cause. The finish was particularly special. When we reached Camden, we were greeted by colleagues holding banners and balloons, all waiting outside to cheer us on. After 20 miles, a few of us even found enough energy for a race to the finish line.

What has the experience meant to you and your team?

For many of us, this was the first time we'd completed a sponsored walk of this distance, so there was a huge sense of achievement when we crossed the finish line.

More than that, it gave us the opportunity to give something back. It's easy to get caught up in the demands of daily life, work and personal commitments, but taking time to support others and contribute to a cause that makes such a difference is incredibly rewarding.

Following feedback from last year's event, we've already started looking at ways to involve more stores and more people in future challenges. It's been wonderful to see the enthusiasm from colleagues who want to support RSBC and help us build on what we've achieved so far.

Any final words?

Supporting the work that RSBC does goes beyond just raising funds, it is an opportunity to make a genuine, lasting difference. Every pound raised goes towards a child gaining confidence, a young person pursuing their ambitions, and a family receiving the support they need. That's why supporting RSBC matters. They are transforming lives each and every day. 


You can donate to the Specsavers teams fundraiser here - Sponsor Me - Online fundraising Service