Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

6 years ago I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica, an auto-immune disorder. One morning in July 2019, at the age of 82, I woke up completely blind. Later I discovered that I was suffering from Giant Cell Arteritis, which is a complication associated with my disorder.

I have been told by my doctors nothing can be done to restore my vision.

As I am sure you can understand this has been a truly life-changing event for both me and my wife, Mary.

The effect this has had on my life means I am unable to pursue any of the activities I previously enjoyed, including sailing, skiing, gardening and enjoying life on my narrowboat.

Being en ex-Veteran myself, having served in the RAF stationed at Stoke Heath, Shropshire, I wanted to set myself a challenge supporting the Blind Veterans Association UK who have helped me enormously.

Going suddenly blind is an enormous challenge...it makes it harder to interact with others and confidence disappears. Movement is difficult for me, balance goes and engaging in life becomes much harder.

Unfortunately, shielding during Coronavirus lockdown has made things worse and I have suffered mentally and physically as a result.

I learned of the Blind Veterans Association from a fellow resident, and being an ex-Veteran meant I qualified for assistance. The association have been great to me giving me lots of practical help and advice. They have enabled me to rekindle a more positive attitude and start to bring my confidence back again.

As a result of their help, I have been walking the complete length of the ground floor corridors in the apartment complex, where I live, for exercise and to regain my independence.

Because of the help I have received, I have taken the crazy decision to walk 100 laps (19 km/12 miles) unaided by the end of November in aid of Blind Veterans UK as a way of thanking them for the support they have given me and others like me.

I will be documenting my progress on this page, so be sure to follow the ups and downs (hopefully not too many!) of my challenge and would really appreciate your support for a very worthy cause.

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