Guide Dogs
Almost two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that has a significant impact on their daily lives. Of those, around 180,000 rarely leave their homes alone and lead lonely, isolated lives. Guide Dogs works for a world where people with sight loss are never left out of life, for a world where being blind or partially sighted is not what defines you. A world with enough support to make the challenges of sight loss no barrier to fulfilling hopes and dreams.

About me and what I'm doing to raise money
Hi, I'm John Heaney and I am a lucky guy. Lucky because at the age of 71 I am fit and healthy and have qualified to race the World Ironman Triathlon Championship in Hawaii this October.

The race
The race consists of a 2.4 mile ocean swim, 112 mile cycle and a 26.2-mile marathon. It takes place there annually and is by invitation only. Invitation is dependent on qualifying at one of the 20-odd global Ironman races and is dependent on you finishing in a high position in your age category. I qualified in the Barcelona Ironman race at the end of last season.

Barcelona was supposed to be my last Iron distance race (70 is old enough I think) but when I learned that I had qualified for Hawaii it was an offer I couldn't refuse! One of my peers likened it be being invited to play Roger Federer on Centre Court, Wimbledon!

Why Guide Dogs?
My long-suffering triathlon-widow wife, who is a volunteer worker and fund-raiser for Guide Dogs, suggested I should mark my good fortune by helping others and so that's what I am going to do.

I want to use this unique opportunity to raise money for Guide Dogs. The cost of raising and training a successful guide dog is phenomenal, but the way in which they help to transform the lives of their owners is worth every penny. They are amazing. THEY CHANGE LIVES.

So, I am appealing to you to help me in my quest. £2,500 would be enough to name a dog, and every donation, large or small, would be most welcome.

How you can help
I have set up this Just Giving page where you can make a donation online, or if you know me at the gym, or from one of my cycling groups, etc, a direct donation would be most welcome too.

Another initiative we have adopted is a quiz night at Boothstown British Legion on Wednesday, September 11th at 7:30pm. Come and join us. We have loads of prizes and a fun night should be had by all.

Please help me in the fulfilment of my dream to help others to a better quality of life.

Cheers,

John.