Guiding a blind veteran for the London Marathon
Blind veteran Andy already had five London Marathon medals hanging on his wall before he invited friend Wayne to join him as his running guide.
The two men, both aged 49 and from Aldershot, run in support of our charity which Andy says gave him back his confidence after losing his sight.
Blind veteran Andy
Andy joined the Army in 1992 and spent 19 years with the Royal Logistics Corps. It was at the age of 37 that retinitis pigmentosa caused a gradual decline in his sight and forced him to retire early from the Army.
In 2011, Andy discovered our charity and we've been supporting him ever since. Andy says:
“The charity has invested a lot of time over the years to help me rebuild my life when I’d lost all hope."
“When I first came to Blind Veterans UK, I was feeling sorry for myself, but they made me realise what was possible and gave me the confidence to start doing physical activities again and get back to work.”
Blind veteran and marathon runner
Running together
The pair’s first London Marathon together was actually run virtually in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Wayne says:
“I had never run before in my life; Andy and I were sat watching the rugby when he asked if I fancied doing some running with him and that was how it started.
“It means a lot to me that Andy and his wife put their trust in me to guide him. The first time was nerve wracking, but we talk and communicate the whole way and guiding him comes instinctively to me; it’s my job to look after him"
Andy can only see forward; he has no peripheral vision. Wayne runs with his arm behind Andy so that he can easily grab hold of his top if he needs to. Wayne warns Andy about changes in surface, any lamp posts or road signs, kerbs, and during the marathon bottles on the road. Wayne says:
“I’m always absolutely exhausted when we finish; not only have I run a marathon but I have been looking everywhere constantly and being the eyes for us both.
“Running with Andy has 100% opened my eyes to his daily challenges. I’m blessed to know Andy and to be able to assist him.”
Proving people wrong
Andy and Wayne finished the marathon slightly quicker than the previous year. Andy says:
“I never have a time in mind, I just aim to start and finish.
“I was told I would never be able to run, but I’ve proved people wrong and now have nine medals to prove it. Those of us with a visual impairment should never be written off, we can live full and active lives."
“Having Wayne running next to me has become effortless, I know I'm in safe hands and trust him to get me round in one piece.”
Blind veteran
Next challenge
As well as supporting his friend, Wayne also feels honoured to be able to help others like Andy. He says:
“It’s amazing to have the opportunity to raise money for other blind veterans. I do this for Andy, who is a top fella and a huge inspiration, but I also do it for all blind veterans.
“In September, Andy has encouraged me to take on the London to Brighton Cycle. Andy did it two years ago with his son, but this will be my first time and my first time on a tandem bike!"
“This will be a new challenge, something completely different but whatever Andy wants to try, I will be by his side. His can-do attitude has certainly rubbed off on me."
Guide runner and fundraiser
Wayne continues:
“Let me get over the weekend’s marathon first though, and then we’ll dig out the bike and get training.”
There is still time to show your support to Andy and Wayne and to help them reach their £1,000 fundraising target:
Have you been inspired by Andy and Wayne? Find out how you could be saddling up to join them for the London to Brighton Cycle:
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