Released on: August 22, 2008, 4:17 am

Press Release Author: Optical Express

Industry: Consumer Services

Press Release Summary: Scottish mother of two, Yasmeen Ali (35) is packing her
walking boots and traveling to Tanzania to complete a charity trek over the world's
tallest free-standing mountain, Kilimanjaro.

Press Release Body: Yasmeen decided to embark on this charity challenge after the
successful completion of her Lasik Laser Eye Surgery in June. Inspired by her
determination, Optical Express has provided Yasmeen with the £2000 sponsorship money
she needs in order to undertake this challenge.

Yasmeen, who is the managing director of a health & safety consultancy in Aberdeen,
is very active in the fundraising community. Having already completed the Inverness
half and Edinburgh marathons earlier this year in aid of Kidney Research UK, Yasmeen
will now embark on her biggest challenge to date, Kilimanjaro.

Before Yasmeen signed up to the 9 day expedition she dropped into her local Optical
Express store in Aberdeen.

"I didn't want to be fumbling around with glasses or contact lenses while trying to
trek over Kilimanjaro," Yasmeen explained, "So I decided to take the plunge and have
Lasik Laser Eye Surgery. The Aberdeen staff at Optical Express were fantastic and
really helpful throughout the whole process."

Shortly after her Lasik treatment in June, Yasmeen applied for the Kilimanjaro
challenge in order to continue raising money for her charity of choice, Kidney
Research UK.

"I'd left it quite late to apply," said Yasmeen, "there were only a few places left
on the expedition and I still needed to raise an initial £3000 in sponsorship
money."

Having raised £1K by herself in a week, Yasmeen still had to raise £2K in two weeks,
or she would not have enough funds to participate in the charity trek.

"During my post surgery check-up, I told Fiona, the Aberdeen branch manager, about
my goal to raise funds to climb Kilimanjaro for charity," Yasmeen explained, "I was
absolutely delighted when Optical Express offered to sponsor me for the remaining
£2K."

"I now have perfect vision and I am about to embark on my biggest charity challenge
yet and it's all thanks to Optical Express."

Liz McGuinness from Kidney Research UK said, "If anyone could raise that much
sponsorship money in such a small amount of time, it's Yasmeen. Her fund raising
activities for Kidney Research UK over the last few years have been relentless. She
is an inspiration to us all."

The single mother of two will be flying out to Tanzania on October 17th to begin the
expedition, in the mean time however, she will be doing a practice trek over Ben
Nevis on the 19th Sept with Kidney Research UK, free from glasses and contact
lenses.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Optical Express by LLLink at Forth House, 5 Johns Place, EH6 7EL.
Contact Emma Sykes on (0131) 561 8416 or emma.sykes@mediavision.co.uk



Web Site: http://uk.opticalexpress.com/

Contact Details: Issued on behalf of Optical Express by LLLink at Forth House, 5
Johns Place, EH6 7EL.
Contact Emma Sykes on (0131) 561 8416 or emma.sykes@mediavision.co.uk