Opticians helps athlete with sight on success

AN OPTICIANS in Wellingborough is sponsoring local triathlete Melanie Ryding as she represents Great Britain at international level.

Specsavers in Swansgate Shopping Centre, Wellingborough is making sure Mrs Ryding has her eyes firmly fixed on the sporting challenges ahead by supplying her with free contact lenses and glasses for the next two years.

After being inspired to take up the triathlon challenge in 2006, Melanie progressed from novice level to representing her country in little more than two years – only learning to swim front crawl a mere 18 months before gaining her first GB qualification. Since then, she has represented team GB at championships at a European and International level in Australia, Budapest and Athlone, and will go on to represent GB in Spain next year.

Peter Cunningham, store director at Specsavers in Wellingborough, says: ‘Melanie’s success is so inspiring and shows what can be achieved through hard work and determination. We’re really pleased to be sponsoring her and hopefully helping her to stay ‘focused’ on future successes!’

Mrs Ryding says: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled with this kind donation from Specsavers and I’d like to thank them for their generosity. I’m entirely self-funded so to be sponsored by the store is a massive help and a huge weight off my mind.

‘I’ve worn glasses for the past six years, but obviously they’re not very practical when taking part in a triathlon! The store has been great in helping me find the right contact lenses, especially as many others I have tried tend to dry out before I reach the finish line. My new lenses are perfect and I simply couldn’t race without them.’

For more information or to book an eye examination, please visit Specsavers at 26 Spring Lane, Swansgate Shopping Centre, Wellingborough, NN8 1EY, call 01933 228600 or visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/wellingborough