TWO friends are embarking on a gruelling three day bike ride around the Hampshire boarder to raise cash for eye charity, Open Sight

Pete Ross and Lee Goosey, have set themselves the challenge of cycling 250 miles around the Hampshire border, to raise funds to pay for eye health education presentations by the charity at primary schools throughout the county.

They will set off from Royal Victoria Country Park at 8.30am on Saturday.

One in four children aged five to 12 suffer from an undiagnosed sight problem which may be detrimental to their ability to learn and their performance at school.

Open Sight community development manager, Terry Smith, visited 24 schools and spoke to 6,000 pupils last year. This coming academic ear, the charity hopes to double that number and reach out to 12,000 pupils at 48 schools.

The pair have set the target of covering just over 70 miles a day to raise the £6,000 needed to pay for the presentations.

Pete said: “The training has started and although the weather has been quite a challenge lately it’s going to be worth the effort to raise awareness and encourage children to look after their sight.”

Eye health presentations costs 50p per child and the information leaflets given out are an effective way of getting the message to a family.

Mum Sarah Spurr said: “In 2015 Open Sight visited my daughter’s school, Kings Copse Primary School.

“I work as a teaching assistant and was in class when you were talking to the children about how to keep our eyes healthy. One of the points discussed was the importance of regular eye sight tests. I made an appointment for myself and my daughters to have our eyes tested.

“The optician diagnosed Izzy, five, with very poor sight in one of her eyes and referred her to the eye hospital for further tests. If it hadn’t been for the visit I wouldn’t have thought to take all of us for a test.

“I am pleased to say that at our last appointment at the eye hospital her sight is improving and both eyes are now working together.”

To donate online visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hampshirecycling