Workers at the local branches of an opticians have set themselves a charity challenge to remember a former colleague.
Those from Specsavers in Spalding will walk/cycle the equivalent of 780 miles from their store to the Eiffel Tower and back in memory of their colleague, optician Shyam Lakhani, who passed away suddenly last year.
The ‘S-miles for Shyam’ will see 11 members raising funds for Rainbows Hospice for children and young people with life limiting illnesses based in Leicestershire, a charity close to Shyam’s heart.
The colleagues came together to cover 108 miles in March which marks the distance from Spalding store to Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough and back, where Shyam regularly volunteered.
In April they completed 500 miles, the distance of Shyam’s weekly commute.
The challenge is personal for everyone taking part and the Eiffel Tower virtual destination has special significance, as it was the place where Shyam proposed to his wife Dulari in March 2016.
“We are incredibly grateful to all those that are supporting and sponsoring us,” says store director Ian Stradling. “Despite this being a challenge for us all we are passionate about doing something positive in memory of Shyam.
“It’s a daunting distance, but we’re all committed and have been enjoying the walking – with one of the team now cycling because of a knee injury – but we’re not giving up.
“We’re monitoring our progress on the Strava app to keep track of everyone’s endeavours and I’m sure there will be some healthy rivalry as the challenge progresses.”
The fundraising efforts will continue for the next six months.
The colleagues will participate in the ‘Three Stores Challenge,’ which will take place on May 15 to mark the one-year anniversary since Shyam passed away.
They will be walking the 19 miles between the sister stores in Holbeach and Bourne via the Spalding store.
A Specsavers spokesman said: “A regular rambler, rain or shine, Shyam will be with them all the way.”
To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/s-milesforshyam
