Member Article

Paralympian Harriet dives in to Vision Express

Paralympian Harriet Lee joined the team at the Vision Express Arndale Centre store in Manchester to celebrate the news she will be representing Great Britain in the 2016 Paralympic Games.

Harriet, 25, is an ambassador for Vision Express – the national optical retailer has supported her for the past two years. She is currently based in Manchester training with the British Swimming team and with Rio just two months away, her grueling schedule has increased. She hopes to replicate the success she had at the London 2012 games where she won bronze in the 100 metres breaststroke, at the young age of 21.

The road to success wasn’t easy for Harriet as she spent four months in intensive care in the lead up to the games, but this time around she says she’s in the best shape she can be and is feeling good about her chances of taking home a medal. She even reached a new personal best in the Paralympic qualifying stages.

Harriet said: “It’s been a tough couple of years, I always knew it would be hard to qualify but I’ve been working really hard and I’ve stayed on track so it was a massive relief to be selected. It just makes all of the sacrifice and hard work worth it.”

To celebrate being named part of the 2016 Great Britain squad, Harriet was invited to the Manchester Arndale store to review Vision Express’ new Exclusive Brands collection and pick some sunglasses to take with her to Rio.

The range was launched to offer frames for all the family at affordable prices, with glasses starting from £39 for adults and £15 for sunglasses. These on trend frames sit alongside many well-known designer brands offering customers fashionable sunglasses at a fraction of the price.

Harriet’s favourite frames were from the Heritage collection. She chose the aviator sunglasses as she feels they perfectly suit her face shape and will be great in the Rio sunshine.

She said: “My eyes are so sensitive to light that I need to wear really high protection sunglasses but I also want something stylish too - these Heritage aviator frames are perfect.” Since working with Vision Express, Harriet encourages her friends and family to get regular eye tests and advises them to always check the UV rating on sunglasses, to make sure they’re sun safe.

Sam Greatbatch, assistant store manager at the Manchester Arndale Vision Express store, said: “It was really great to welcome Harriet in store and congratulate her on her recent success. It’s not every day that you get to meet a world-class Paralympian! On behalf of everyone at Vision Express Manchester Arndale, I’d like to wish her all the best for Rio.”

Vision Express offers an eye test to best practice guidelines of the College of Optometrists (COO), with each Vision Express optometrist being a qualified eye health professional. To book an eye test visit the Vision Express Manchester Arndale store at Unit 62, The Arndale Centre, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3AQ or call 0161 8250 391.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vision Express .