THE Durban promenade was a buzz as the community came out in their numbers to support the fourth annual Eye Can Walk on Sunday, October 9. Participants were challenged to tackle either the 5km or 8km route, walking in pairs, with one participant acting as a guide and the other donning a blindfold to experience life without sight.
The event was held just ahead of World Sight Day, commemorated on Thursday, October 13, to raise awareness about the importance of eye care.
Eye Can Walk is a fundraiser hosted annually by the KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society (KZNBDS). Walkers set off from Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium at 08:00, heading along the promenade towards Snake Park Beach.
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Speaking to Berea Mail at the stadium ahead of the walk, Veetha Sewkuran, KZNBDS president, said, “The Eye Can Walk was inaugurated in 2017 as part of the KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society’s eye-awareness campaign. Eye Awareness Month is between September and October, and we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring about awareness of what it’s like to be blind or partially sighted,” she said.
The event also serves to raise awareness about eye conditions.
“If you have any eye impairment or symptoms, do not ignore it – this is the awareness we are trying to create around the Eye Can Walk,” said Sewkuran.
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While the essence of the Eye Can Walk is in the 5km fun walk of its origins, the event is continually growing to new heights.
“Eye Can Walk is in its fourth year, and we are getting bigger next year – we are going to incorporate a 10km official marathon, as well,” concluded Sewkuran.
For more information about KZNBDS, email Fundraising@bdskzn.org.zapr or call KZNBDS on 031 309 4991.
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