Let’s hear from another one of our Everest One team, Claire Walker. She hails from Ireland☘️ and has been working as an optometrist in Australia.

“I’ve worked in East Melbourne for over 5 years in a big store along side 5 optometrists with a great bunch of people. I love keeping up to date with new research, myopia control, and courses, and recently finished my level 1 sign language course to help my deaf patients.

I arrived in Melbourne in November 2013 after being sponsored through the OCANZ cross-over exams & jumped at the opportunity. I have been qualified over 10 years now and went to university in Scotland (and from Ireland). I got the chance to travel around Scotland for work, seeing the effects of blindness in under privileged communities and what should be done to prevent this makes me motivated to help people.

I have always loved the idea of volunteering for an eye charity but never got around to it before now.

Jack & myself moved over together and we love Australia and everything outdoors. I started my love for hiking in school years, completing the Duke of Edinburgh's mountaineering awards, and all the volunteering work required to complete them. I am really excited for this physical and mental challenge and a great excuse to become fitter to hopefully make the trek easier.

I am currently training for a half marathon, doing all things Pilates, boxing & cycling. I love nothing more than being in the fresh air and outdoors. We have hiked in some great places so far, New Zealand being the most scenic & challenging , Scotland, Southern Spain & any free weekend in Victoria. I cannot wait to see Everest up close and meet the Sherpa people.”

Support Claire’s cause here: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/204947/eyes4everest-gokyo-ri-october-2019