An academic researcher, from London, has decided to put on her running shoes and prepare to run the London Marathon in order to raise money for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
Dr Renata Beman, who lives in London, has been studying the psychology of blindness for over 10 years as she has always been fascinated with how blind people experience the world around them. She first came across the charity, which provides free lifelong support to veterans living with sight loss, while studying for her PhD. “I had the honour to have the blind veterans as participants of my project”, she says. “It is not easy to overcome blindness in a visual world it must take a lot of strength of character.”
Originally from Brazil, Renata has lived in London for 17 years and has close military connections as her husband and his grandad both served in the Armed Forces. She says: “My husband was a radio officer and his grandfather went to the Second World War to drive the fuel supplies to the front line. He then drove an ambulance to try and save lives.”
Although Renata anticipates that the 26 mile stretch from Blackheath to The Mall will be a challenge, she is training in the gym every day and even controlling her diet in order to fully prepare for the marathon. Despite her dedication, she doesn’t have a certain finish time in mind and her main focus is to just reach the
finish line. “I feel excited. I have taught blind people and I always said “you can do it!” Now it’s my time to do it!”
It’s not too late to join Renata and sign up to run the London Marathon for Blind Veterans UK. She says: “It is very important to support people, don’t just stop at thinking it – make it an action and do it!
“The way I think about it is – if one day I go blind I would like to know that there are people willing to run for me. With one person going blind every five seconds, we never know what tomorrow brings – be kind and support Blind Veterans UK!”
You can find out more information about running the London Marathon for Blind Veterans UK and sign up at blindveterans.org.uk/marathon.
You can also support Renata as she prepares to take on the London Marathon at justgiving.com/fundraising/renata-beman.
The Virgin London Marathon takes place on Sunday 28 April and is one of the most popular marathons in the world. During the race, starting in Greenwich Park and finishing on The Mall, participants will experience a beautiful 26.2 mile route past London’s most magnificent landmarks.
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.
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.
For all media enquiries please contact:
Laura Weir, PR & Communications Executive
T: 020 7616 7955
E: laura.weir@blindveterans.org.uk
W: blindveterans.org.uk
