Why am I doing this? 

As many of you will know, when I was 15 years old I detached my retina playing rugby and following 11 operations, subsequently, lost the sight in my left eye shortly after my 17th birthday. 

Obviously, it was not a very fun time but it did allow me a unique insight into the world of people who are visually impaired at a young age. I was 17 when I lost my sight and it's fair to say it was a difficult adjustment period. Tasks that were previously second nature became a challenge: driving, walking in crowds, negotiating anything in the dark or even something as simple as pouring a drink. With only one eye you lose all depth perception and not being able to immediately judge the distance you are from an object takes some time to adjust to. 

With 56 hospital visits over the 2 years, I met a diverse group of individuals. Aside from the wonderful hospital staff, the people who stuck with me the most are the children who were also in hospital for their own variety of treatments and surgeries. Every day 4 children will be diagnosed as either being blind or severely vision impaired. 

From toddlers through to young adults like myself, they were all incredible in the face of adversity. Losing your sight in any capacity is not only hard to live with, it is incredibly scary. But each of these children and their families would smile, laugh and even joke about their own individual situations.

It's always been on my agenda to do a challenge and try in some small way to benefit the Royal Society for Blind Children. I know better than most just how much that support can mean for these children and their families now, and through into their adult lives. 

RSBC are there to help blind children through every stage of their progression, all the way to help them gain employment as young adults. You can read more about them here: https://www.rsbc.org.uk/


What am I doing?

In August 2022 I went to Sweden to take part in an Ironman Triathlon. For those who may not know what this involves, it is a 3.8km swim followed by a 180km bike ride, and nicely rounded off with a 42.2km run. (A cool down marathon if you will?). I completed this event and learned a lot about true endurance challenges along the way!

AND NOW (because the Ironman wasn't enough...)
In June 2023 I will be heading to Peru to run 230km through the Amazon rainforest. An extremely hostile environment with stifling 90% humidity, river-crossings (include one section that is hiking up 15km of river against the current) and not to mention a multitude of bugs, spiders and snakes! 

This is a self-sufficient race meaning I have to carry my supplies for the week. Sleeping bag, hammock, food, medical supplies, clothes etc. The distances each day are as follows:

Day 1 - 37km | Day 2 - 37km | Day 3 - 45km | Day 4 - 35km | Day 5 - 70km

You can read more about this race below, with a little trailer also:

https://beyondtheultimate.co.uk/ultra/jungle-ultra/#!/2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45-7RVoJMXs

I have done some long races before, but this is a whole other world. Just need to work out how to handle 40 degree heat, 90% humidity, river-crossings, insects that can kill, oh and also running 230km. 

You can watch a video from the 2019 race here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7mSpbk9nuE

People always say "that doesn't sound fun," and they're right. At times these won't be fun. BUT it will be a great challenge and hopefully enough to inspire people to donate towards supporting children who have lost their sight. 

Thanks.