Marathon run for grandad

A man from South Wales, whose grandad is a blind veterans, took on the Manchester Marathon this weekend in support of our charity.

Chris, 33, and from Port Talbot, ran 26.2 miles to complete his first ever marathon on Sunday 14 April and finished in four hours and 16 minutes.

Chris decided to enter the marathon after losing ten stone over the last two years. He says:

"I set myself goals and challenges along the way. Last year, I entered a half marathon, but this was the biggest challenge yet."

Running the marathon was not only a huge personal achievement for Chris, but he also did it for his grandad who lost his sight around four years ago and has been supported by our charity. He says:

“Blind Veterans UK has had a big impact on my family and has done so much for my grandad. Grandad has macular degeneration and only has a small circle of vision, but you wouldn’t know he’s blind. He’s stubbornly independent.

“The charity has helped him to retain that independence, he has been assisted with a number of items that help him day to day such as a projector for reading letters, a talking watch, a liquid level indicator to help him safely make drinks and a magnifying glass.”

Chris was aiming for a time of around four hours on the day and finished very close to this. He says:

“My auntie set up the iPad for my grandad so that he could watch and they had my running number so they could track me along the course."

Chris had initially set himself a fundraising target of £250 but has already raised £615.

There is still time to show your support for Chris: