Over the years I have learnt to appreciate the gift of good health and the importance of making sure we do our bit in looking after it. We are extremely fortunate to be able to access healthcare when needed and at times take it for granted.

When visiting India as a child, I was able to see that many in the World are not as fortunate as we are and have to live with the burden of disease, loss of independence and in a world they cannot appreciate and in particular see. I was always deeply affected by this inequality and to this day it bothers me. My sentiments were only reinforced when I spent time in charitable eye camps through my medical school years and witnessed how people travel thousands of miles only for the glimmer of hope, that there may be a change, a change that can bring about happiness, a change that can bring about opportunity and a more promising future.

These experiences as well as seeing my Father make positive changes to people's vision on a daily basis in his profession, influenced my pursuit of a career in Ophthalmology. Not only was this for healthcare provision but also for the education of clinicians and patients, to empower people with knowledge that can prevent and treat illness.

Last year I saw my Father in law do the London to Brighton bike ride for the second year running, someone who had never cycled before this and someone who wanted to prove a point that his age cannot dictate his abilities. After seeing this (and with some degree of peer pressure) I decided to do take the plunge and do something way outside my comfort zone.

I have decided to cycle 54 miles from London to Brighton to raise money for Orbis UK (an affiliate of Orbis International), an international charity with a mission to build strong and sustainable eye care systems globally that put treatment and prevention within reach. They believe in a world where everyone can access the eye care they need to thrive and something that resonates deeply with me.

Please join me in raising money for a cause that looks to enlighten the lives of children and adults around the world. This challenge is to remind myself that nothing comes easy in life, we need to put in the effort to make things happen and we need to prioritise our health and not take it for granted. We are so lucky, and must do our bit to help those that are not as fortunate.