Penrith opticians take on marathon hike across the Lake District for air ambulance charity

AN OPTICIANS in Penrith has raised more than £1,700 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service after completing a 26-mile fundraising hike around Ullswater.

The team from Specsavers Penrith took on the challenge in support of the local air ambulance, which is aiming to raise £2.5 million to secure the deposit for a third new helicopter.

The service's current fleet has been in service for more than 20 years and is quickly approaching retirement, with the charity deeming the situation a 'critical crossroads' for its future.

Twelve members from the optical team took on the route, starting out at the Penrith store at 5.30am before arriving in Pooley Bridge before making their way around the lake via the Ullswater Way route.

The Lake District route is a 20-mile hike around the lake and takes around 14 hours to complete, being deemed of 'harder' difficulty by the national park.

Fiona Sutton, store manager at Specsavers Penrith, says: 'Each day, everyone in store makes me proud of their passion, dedication, and eagerness that they must help others. And that did not change for a second when they committed to walking all those miles for charity!

'It was extremely tough at times, physically and mentally. As a team we pushed through these parts and came together chatting, singing songs and doing a little bit of dancing.

'I'm so thankful for an amazing team who gave their all.'

Kylie Palmer, corporate relationship manager at GNAAS, says: 'We're incredibly grateful to everyone at Specsavers Penrith for taking on such an inspiring challenge in support of our Operation SOS appeal.

'Giving up their day off to complete a 26-mile hike is a fantastic demonstration of their commitment and team spirit.

'Raising more than £1,700 is a brilliant achievement, and every donation brings us one step closer to raising the £2.5 million needed for the deposit on a third helicopter and securing the future of our life-saving service.'

Oliver Vaulks, retail director at Specsavers Penrith, adds: 'Fiona worked incredibly hard to get the fundraiser set up, and you can see the dedication she has to helping the local community.

'The team and I were more than happy to get involved and raise money for GNAAS and we're grateful for the money donated already.'

The fundraiser stands at more than £1,700 from online and cash donations, with the store's JustGiving page still open.

Specsavers Penrith, which is locally owned and run, has been supporting the local community with eye and hearing care since 2002 and regularly supports local causes that mean the most to staff and customers.

If you'd like to make a donation to the store's fundraiser, you can do so by visitingwww.justgiving.com/page/specsaverswalk2026.

For more information about Specsavers Penrith, call 01768 214690 or go online atwww.specsavers.co.uk/stores/penrith.