Dispensing optician Anda Veita has run 75 miles in a 24-hour endurance race for RNIB.
The dispensing manager at Specsavers’ Grantham practice, Veita participated in Equinox24 at Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, just before National Eye Health Week as part of the practice’s fundraising plans.
The aim was to complete as many 10km laps of the castle as possible, with runners able to take breaks whenever they want. Veita has taken part for the last two years and this year completed 12 laps, a personal best. Her husband and two sons were there to support her and camped at the site throughout the race.
Veita said: ‘It’s quite a small event – so it has a family feeling. The race organiser even remembered my name. People you’ve never met before feed you sweets and cheer you on. The kids cheered me on and gave me high-fives, and all four of us ran across the finish line together.’
She added: ‘I see people who are losing sight on a regular basis. The most common is age-related vision loss, and I’ve seen a couple of children with nystagmus. I think RNIB’s work is outstanding. The more qualified and experienced you become, the more you understand its importance.’