How many people can say that they have truly been able to follow their dream. 

41 year old father of two, Luke Wyndham caught the climbing bug after completing an indoor climbing introduction course at a local indoor climbing centre.

Since then he has successfully completed several smaller expeditions locally and abroad, never quite satisfied with the scale of the challenges he has set himself to date. 

The Bolivian expedition has been in the back of his mind well before he started working at Topcon GB in June 2013 - there just hasn't been the right time until an opportunity presented itself in Autumn 2014. 

Without the support of Topcon this would be very difficult or indeed impossible as this challenge requires a considerable amount of time to complete it safely.

Luke will be attempting to climb 6,400 metres (21,000 feet) of the Bolivian 4 mountain peaks over 22 days, combating altitude sickness and extreme weather conditions - the ultimate trekking challenge. 

To prepare for the challenge Luke is currently spending four to six days per week training, using a combination of exercises to build core strength and power. This includes several hours at the gym each day as well as regular trips to indoor climbing centres such as High Sports, based at K2 in Crawley.

As the challenge draws nearer the training regime will become more rigorous, and is to include participation in several adventure style races and even marathons.

Luke’s 22 day expedition starts in La Paz, Bolivia on Saturday 11th July culminating in the 6,462m summit of Illimani 19 days later.

Luke’s reasons for choosing Optometry Giving Sight and Vision Aid Overseas: 

“I can’t imaging losing one of my core senses, such as sight. Working in the optical industry it is truly eye opening - the role that these charities take in giving everyone a chance to look after their eye health. Both of these charities are truly inspirational and I am honoured to be able to contribute to their forthcoming life changing projects.”

Comments from Optometry Giving Sight:

OGS is the only global fundraising initiative that specifically targets the prevention of blindness and impaired vision due to uncorrected refractive error. The charity funds eye care services in communities where they do not exist, ensuring sustainable, lasting results through the training of local eye care professionals, establishment and support of vision centres and schools of optometry, and delivery of affordable eye care and glasses.  

Comments from VAO:

VAO will use the money raised to provide eye examinations and spectacles, train eye care workers and develop Vision Centres where eye care can be delivered on an ongoing basis:

•             £5 can pay for an eye examination and spectacles for a child

•             £22 can pay for an entire days training for an eye care worker

•             £60 can pay for the raw materials to manufacture twenty pairs of spectacles

•             £9,056 can fund the equipment needed to establish an entire new Vision Centre

Your support is absolutely vital and will enable Vision Aid Overseas’ Professional Volunteers to make a life-transforming difference to some of the world’s poorest people.