A Navy veteran from Hampshire is set to run the London Marathon on 27 April to raise money for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision impaired ex-Service men and women.
Neil Evans, 48 and from Gosport, joined the Royal Navy at the age of 19 and served for 23 years aboard ships including HMS Invincible, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Grafton and his last posting was aboard HMS Dragon in 2013.
His wife is still a serving member of the Royal Navy and raising awareness and money for military charities is something which is important to them.
Neil says:
“I started running after I gave up rugby and I really enjoyed it. Last year I took part in the Brighton Marathon and I’ve also run Race to Remember to raise money for Combat Stress.
“Running allows me to get out and about and clear my head. Taking part in the London Marathon has always been on my bucket list and I wanted to finally tick it off before turning 50! I’m looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere and the crowds and forever having the memory of the day.
“I completed the Brighton Marathon in four hours and 17 minutes and I’d love to run the London Marathon in around four hours.”
Neil is employed by leading tech consultancy and digital services provider Sopra Steria, which has been a corporate partner of Blind Veterans UK for three consecutive years. Last summer a group of employees from the organisation joined together with staff and veterans from Blind Veterans UK to complete a hiking challenge to reach the summit of Tal Y Fan in the Snowdonia National Park raising £20,000 for the charity.
Neil says:
“My colleagues did amazingly well last year; I now want to do my bit to support Blind Veterans UK. As a fellow veteran I’m always keen to support veteran charities as I know how vital they are.
“I feel honoured and humbled to have been given a place in the London Marathon for such a fantastic charity.”
Neil is hoping to raise £2,000 for Blind Veterans UK. If you would like to help Neil reach his target, please visit his fundraising page: 2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/neil-evans
If you are inspired by Neil and would like to sign up for the 2026 London Marathon for Blind Veterans UK, visit the charity’s website: blindveterans.org.uk/londonmarathon
Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but knows there are many thousands more who still need its support to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then please get in touch. Call 0800 389 7979 or visit: blindveterans.org.uk/gethelp
