One of the longest serving members of staff at an Aberdeen optician is set to celebrate her 70th birthday in a slightly different way on Sunday 5 May.

Maggie Matthews has worked at Specsavers on Union Street for 28 years and fellow staff announced that she would be in charge of the prize giving at the Specsavers sponsored 2K race at this year’s BHGE 10K Running festival, as part of a special 70th birthday surprise.

She said: “I’m really honoured to have been given this wonderful opportunity.

“It’s a chance for me and my and Specsavers colleagues to play a central role in celebrating local achievement in a community setting and at the same time encouraging the next generation of youngsters to get their running shoes on and pick up great habits.

“I never thought I’d be handing out medals at the BHGE 10K Running Festival in my eighth decade! Hopefully I’m a good example of the benefits of staying fit and active.”    

The active septuagenarian is no stranger to running events and has undertaken the Kilt Walk event for the last three years, in the process, raising funds for various charities including The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Healthy and Active Communities, Keith Gerrard, commented:

“We are privileged and excited to have Maggie on board for the 2K prize giving and she is an active role model to us all. Furthermore, twenty eight years is an incredible amount of time to have dedicated to one employer.

“As always we are looking forward to watching a wide variety of people of all ages and abilities take part in this year’s Specsavers 2K race and we hope that Maggie enjoys her special part in the day.”

Starting at the Beach Leisure Centre, making a loop past Pittodrie Stadium and finishing at the 10K finish line, the Specsavers 2K is open to children from Primary 6 to S4 or as a shorter route for wheelchair participants of all ages.

Store Director at Specsavers Aberdeen, Dave McGinty, said:

“We’re delighted to be sponsoring this fantastic event that’s become a real staple in the local calendar, and I know how much Maggie is relishing her prize giving role on Sunday. She’s looking forward to meeting and congratulating all the youngsters. They should be proud of their efforts and the prize giving is a great way to underline that.”