Runners, carrying a giant inflatable, ‘Roll Your Eyes’ eye ball took to the streets of London this weekend (September 28-29) to raise money for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Part of their walk took them through Battersea Park, where they raised a lot of during a bucket collection.

The runners would like to thank Battersea residents for their generosity, which helped them raise almost £20,000.

The route covered nearly 50 miles, nearly twice a marathon. The runners from Scope Ophthalmics are trying to raise awareness and money for RNIB during National Eye Health Week, which took place last week (September 24-30).

The teams started on Friday from Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford and passed all the iconic central London sites, finishing on Saturday afternoon in Trafalgar Square.

RNIB provides support, information and advice for people affected by sight loss throughout the UK and contributes towards continued professional development for eye health professionals like optometrist Rajesh Chandigarh, Director of Specsavers Bishopsgate & Islington.

“As optical professionals, RNIB supply us with support and development opportunities so we’re excited to see the work that Scope and the organisation do together.” says Rajesh.

Scope is supported RNIB during this year’s National Eye Health Week to highlight the impact of sight loss on people’s lives. RNIB also works to dispel the misconceptions that exist around sight loss, helping people to see the person, not the sight loss, and removing barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people here in the UK.

“We are really excited to be working with RNIB this year,” explains Paul O’Reilly, Marketing Director, Scope Ophthalmics, “The charity does great work for the community of visually-impaired people living within the UK and challenges misconceptions people may have. At Scope we work towards better eye health and we’re proud to be partnering with such an important cause.”

Krista Dixon, RNIB Area Fundraising Manager for London, added: “We are so grateful that the team from Scope Ophthalmics is supporting us to raise awareness of the issues faced by people with sight loss in the UK and raise vital funds. Each day, 250 people begin to lose their sight and we aim to create a world without barriers for all who are affected.”