Sam, a 44-year-old Salon Manager from Cambridge, was inspired to take part by seeing the life-changing impact Blind Veterans UK had had on her father’s life: “My dad was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration around a year ago and it was really tough for him to adjust to life with sight loss.
“Luckily he’d served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and so qualified for support from Blind Veterans UK. The equipment and technical support that they’ve given him has allowed him to carry on living the life he was before sight loss. For that I can’t thank them enough and wanted to give something back by challenging myself and fundraising in the process.”
Sam, a casual runner, trained hard for the event but still found it tough: “I’m no professional runner so this was a big challenge for me. I started training back in the summer and gradually built up the miles. Alongside this, I did strength training and increased my protein intake. The last two miles were extremely difficult so I’m very pleased to have completed it in 2 hours 23 minutes.”
Sam’s father, Tony, a 76-year-old RAF blind veteran from St Ives, was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration 22 years after leaving the Service. He says: “When my sight started deteriorating I was very low. Luckily Blind Veterans UK stepped in and have been absolutely marvellous. They’ve been particularly helpful by providing me with equipment that has allowed me to carry on with my model making. My Video Magnifier allows me to do the intricate work required on the models. Also, being able to meet other people in the same boat as myself both in Cambridgeshire and during weeks at the Brighton rehabilitation centre has been brilliant for my wellbeing.”
He continues: “I’m so proud of my daughter Sam not only to have finished in such a strong time but also to have raised so much money to support a great cause.”
Blind Veterans UK helps vision-impaired ex-Service men and women of every generation rebuild their lives after sight loss. Since 1915, the charity has provided rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to tens of thousands of blind veterans.
Blind Veterans UK currently supports more blind veterans than ever before in the charity’s history, but it knows there are many more who still need its support to rebuild their lives following their sight loss. The charity has a dedicated community team in Cambridgeshire who provide support including training, equipment and social events for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women in the local area.
For all media enquiries please contact:
William Witt
Regional Marcomms Executive
E: william.witt@blindveterans.org.uk
T: 07599 556 664
Notes to Editor:
Blind Veterans UK helps vision-impaired ex-Service men and women of every generation rebuild their lives after sight loss. Since 1915, we’ve provided rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to tens of thousands of blind veterans.
Find out more at: blindveterans.org.uk and follow us on Facebook at: facebook.com/blindveteransuk and on Twitter at: twitter.com/blindveterans.
