Our corporate partner Vision Express has unveiled the 30-strong team who will be riding in this year’s legendary Ride4Sight challenge to raise funds for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust.
The team of all-star riders, which include company CEO Jonathan Lawson and Olympians Bryan Steel and Darren Harris, have begun extensive training for the challenge which will take place in September. Vision Express is aiming to smash its fundraising targets and make its 30th anniversary year the most charitable yet.
Focusing on all things ‘30’, the fourth Ride4Sight incorporates a 300km route climbing altitudes of up to 3000m, in a bid to raise in excess of £30,000 for CHECT.
For the fourth time, Paralympian and CHECT patron Darren Harris will participate, riding on a tandem bike with Olympic cycling medallist Bryan Steel. CHECT Chairman Ian Ellington will also be part of the team.
On the two-day Ride4Sight, which is sponsored by CooperVision and the Road Haulage Association (RHA), the fundraisers will journey from Vision Express’ headquarters in Ruddington, Nottingham to its stores in Hanley, Crewe and Macclesfield. At the stop offs along the way, the riders will be spurred on by local store team members and CHECT ambassadors and their families.
The following day, they will return to Nottingham, pausing at the Vision Express Matlock store and the new Vision Express at Tesco store in Toton, before crossing the finish line in Ruddington.
Jonathan Lawson said: “Every year we have the Ride4Sight it gets bigger and better, and it is really exciting this year to tie our 30th anniversary celebrations into the challenge. Over the past eight years of working with CHECT we’ve looked at new and innovative ways of fundraising and raising the charity’s profile and the Ride4Sight is always a great event to do just that.
“Back in 2016 we raised £27,000 and we can’t wait to embark on our fourth cycle challenge and beat our fundraising target of £30,000 this year.”
Jonathan added: “It’s a fantastic way to bring together teams from across our store network and our corporate partners to celebrate our 30 years of trading. The cycle is a real endurance challenge for all involved and it’s great to see so many riders coming back this year to recreate their success from 2016.”
Patrick Tonks, Chief Executive of CHECT, said: “Vision Express continues to be a fantastic supporter of the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust, and the funds raised through its Ride4Sight cycle challenge will enable us to continue our vital work with those families affected by Rb.”
To keep updated with the Ride4Sight cyclists’ progress, follow #Ride4Sight on Twitter. Donations can be made via the Ride4Sight JustGiving page.
If you live near one of the stop off points and would like to be a CHECT ambassador and help cheer on the team, please get in touch – email natasha.boydell@chect.org.uk or call us on 020 7377 5578.