Army veteran taking on London Marathon

Published on 15 Jul 2024

Army veteran, Jim, is taking on the London Marathon in 2025 in support of our blind veterans.

Jim, 45 and from Brighton, served with the Royal Signals from 1995 to 2016 and is now an officer with the Sussex Army Cadet Force. He says:

“As a veteran myself, I understand the importance of military charities to the veteran community. Charities like Blind Veterans UK make such a difference, often service people go into military life aware that they may ultimately give their life, but they are less aware that they may lose their eyesight. The fact that there is a charity specifically for that is fantastic.

“I live in Brighton and with my work with the Army Cadets I was lucky to visit the Blind Veterans UK former Centre of Wellbeing in Ovingdean. I have an affinity with the charity and I try and get the cadets involved with them as much as I can as it is really good for them to understand the veteran community.”

Jim stood with his hands on his hips smiling and wearing his Blind Veterans UK running top — Jim has already started training

Jim in his Army Cadet uniform stood in a field with both thumbs up with an Army helicopter lifting behind him — Jim in his uniform

London Marathon

Jim will be taking on the iconic course from Greenwich to Westminster on 27 April, 2025. He says:

“I’ve spent my entire life in energy saving mode. The last marathon I was involved with was covered in chocolate and was renamed Snickers shortly afterwards! I like all the things about running, except the actual running part. I like eating carbs, wearing comfortable footwear and being cheered for being great. It’s just the old one foot in front of the other bit that proves a bit of a challenge."

“It’s a crazy thing to do but is a great high-profile event. For a great charity like Blind Veterans UK, you need a great event."

Jim
Supporter

Supporting our charity

Jim first got involved with our charity a few years back. He says:

"I’ve been amazed at how brilliant the veterans are. With or without sight, Service men and women are always the same – a wicked sense of humour and always cheerful and they don’t let a little thing like being blind stop them. Last year I met blind veteran Billy Baxter, he’s black blind and somehow the world record speed holder for a blind bloke on a motorbike. Madness but this is an example of the can-do attitude of the veterans supported by the charity.

“So, if you’d like to see me suffer, mile after agonising mile, live on international tv, and in front of the population of London, your donations will greatly improve the lives of blind veterans.”

Jim is hoping to raise £1,995 for our charity. You can support him to reach his target:

Visit his Just Giving page

If you were lucky enough to get a place in the 2025 London Marathon and are looking for a fantastic charity to support with your ballot place, join our team and make your marathon journey even more meaningful or, if you missed out in the ballot, you can register your interest in a charity place:

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