Hey, my name is Richard Wheeler. In October, I will be trekking across Iceland for five days. The terrain will be over a mixture of hills and flat lands, although these are mostly untrodden and likely through snow. I'm sure you can imagine I am incredibly excited about this challenge but it will in no way be an easy feat and there is a long journey ahead of me before this even begins. I am doing the trek with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and I hope to raise as much money as I can for them as they are such a fantastic charity. 

The RNIB provide practical and emotional support for all people affected by sight loss, a very personal cause for me as I became registered blind in 2011 due to a rare condition called Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (known as LHON). This was unexpected and happened very quickly and the RNIB were fundamental in helping me to rehabilitate myself so that I could live an independent, ‘normal’ life again.

I need to reach a fundraising target of £2,500 in order to take part in the trek. A small portion of this will fund the trek itself, but the majority is for this worthwhile charity so that I can show how thankful I am for the support they gave and continue to give me and to enable them to continue with the invaluable work they do. 

In order to accomplish my goals, I have some rather ambitious plans, although with determination, encouragement and the amazing support group I have around me, I hope I will beat my target.

I have signed up to compete in not one, but two events in September. Tough Mudder on the 24th September and the Winchester Half Marathon, which just happens to be on the 25th September- yes, the next day, a very crazy weekend with a lot of training in order!! I would be really grateful if you feel you could sponsor me. Any donation, however big or small would be gladly received and I am also looking for people to join my team so let me know if you are interested. My family think I’m mad and I am determined to prove them wrong! 

I have also been planning a number of fundraising events over the summer including street collections and a quiz night with a raffle so if you would like to donate but don’t think you can come, please do so here on my Justgiving page. 

Thank you for reading and a bigger thank you for donating and taking part!

Chud :)

"We raise awareness of sight problems, and how to prevent sight loss, and we campaign for better services and a more inclusive society." - RNIB

Here are just a few of the ways your money can help: 

£10 could help a blind parent continue to cook for their children, through their range of giant print cookery books 

£12 means that there can be someone in an eye clinic to listen, someone to support, and someone to be there when people are told they could lose their sight 

£25 could buy a special toy to help encourage a blind or partially sighted child to make use of their residual sight 

See more here: http://www.rnib.org.uk/donations-and-fundraising-donate-now/how-your-money-helps