Edinburgh optical assistant prepares for marathon fundraising trip to Africa

Damien Rose will be one of 37,000 people taking part in a 10k run in Ethiopia as part of Vision Aid Overseas team

AN optical assistant from Edinburgh is taking part in the Great Ethiopian Run this month in aid of Vision Aid Overseas, to raise vital funds for people in developing countries.

Damien Rose at Specsavers Leith will be one of 37,000 people participating in a 10k run through the streets of Africa’s highest city, Addis Ababa, as part of a team set up by Vision Aid Overseas (VAO). Damien has already hit his £2,600 fundraising total with the help of store staff, friends, family and generous customers.

The store has raised £700 since June through bake sales and themed hampers that the team has been raffling off to customers – including a girl’s night in and spooky Halloween themed hamper.

The hampers are said to have been extremely popular, with customers looking to buy raffle tickets before they have even been created.

Damien said: “We are proud to support Vision Aid Overseas and have been delighted with the support we have received from locals over the years. We support the charity all year round as people continue to recycle their old and unwanted frames in store which helps fund the work of VAO.

“With such a big fundraising target this year, it is wonderful to see monetary donations and pledges of sponsorship coming in.

“I have been training hard and can’t wait to head out to Africa to take part in this challenge.”

With the help of Specsavers, the international charity is committed to providing eyecare for people living in Zambia.

Previously, there had been very limited provision for the one in four Zambians who desperately require it, with just a handful of qualified optometrists serving the 12 million population.

The annual Great Ethiopian Run takes place on 26 November.

Itwasfirstenvisionedbyneighbours Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie, Peter Middlebrook and Abi Masefield in late October 2000, and held for the first time the following year.

The creation of the race marked the first time that a major annual 10k race had been held in the country, which is renowned for producing world class runners.

Last year’s event saw more than 40,000 runners despite a six-month state of emergency in the country.

0 Damien Rose is training hard