A number of Northern Ireland Forest Service employees are taking on the Olympian Sandals challenge, aiming to walk 100,000 steps in less than 24 hours to raise vital funds for children with the eye disease trachoma.

The fundraising challenge, which will take place on February 26, has been organised by Fermanagh forester Roy Spence. Last year Roy achieved the Olympian Sandals Medal, the top medal a person can achieve on their Fit Bit by walking over 100,000 steps solo and in the process raising over £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

This year he will be accompanied by his Forest Service colleagues, friends and family members as he undertakes the challenge again to raise money for Sightsavers. Sightsavers is an international non-governmental organisation that works with partners in developing countries to treat trachoma and prevent avoidable blindness, and promote equality for people with visual impairments and other disabilities.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Roy explained why he has chosen to support Sightsavers with this year's Olympian Sandals walking challenge.

He said: "We all know we live in an ill-divided world but today, right now, there are children in agony with a horrendous condition called trachoma. It is a disease that affects eyes and eventually, if left untreated, causes blindness. It is extremely painful. Not only is this condition curable but can be eradicated.

"Now, if you are like me, you have probably become sadly immune to the images of disease and starvation on our televisions. If a child in the developing world loses their sight then they lose their education jobs and possibly their lives."

He went on to explain that it only costs £2 to treat a child affected by trachoma. If you would like to donate to the fundraiser visit JustGiving - Roy's Olympian Sandals Challenge 2022 page (https://tinyurl.com/42cw53cp).

"It irritates me that there is so much waste in the world and so much unfairness in the distribution of wealth. We're trying to raise a few funds for Sightsavers, all the money goes towards treatment," said Roy, adding: "We can actually do something positive to help these children. I've been asking people via my JustGiving page to just give £2 and you know that £2 is going directly to save a child's life. I've over £300 on the JustGiving page already. People are very kind."

Those participating in the fundraising challenge will be attempting to walk 50miles in a day.

"There's lots of members of the Northern Ireland Forest Service, I'm a forester for Fermanagh so we are basing it in Fermanagh and doing laps round Enniskillen and various roads," said Roy.

When asked what was the most challenging part of completing the 100,000 steps last year, Roy told this newspaper: "The night shift is gruelling and it was snowing last year as well.

"I had one horrible blister, it was just terrible.

"But I don't really want to make it about us because we are just having one day of discomfort whereas they have a lifetime of discomfort," he said.