Volunteer recruitment started seven months prior, with NZ Optics and Auckland University helping with the callout. The response was overwhelming, reaching our goal within days. Students and dispensers were the first to respond, then, weeks later, shy optometrists. Sponsors old and new were nothing but supportive, but without the foundation built by our predecessors a cold start would have looked very different. The event was a success, despite setbacks – such as sickness, injury and changes in personal circumstances – reducing our volunteer numbers. At one point, we genuinely questioned whether we could safely run the fifth day, with a high number of athletes expected to return to complete their screenings. However, what happened next was one of the most humbling moments of my career. The Christchurch optometry and dispensing community rallied immediately – phones rang, messages flew in, rosters shifted and, somehow, the clinic held. It was a powerful reminder of what this profession becomes when purpose overrides convenience.
On the home straight
It was a privilege to work alongside athletes with IDD. Our volunteers would be the first to tell you that the work is both deeply fulfilling and tiring. Many arrived with quiet reservations, yet within minutes they were high-fiving athletes and exchanging stories. The highlight for athletes was the free eyewear provided by our sponsors, with many of them still wearing the ones donated at the last games four years ago!
