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Richard will be taking on the London to Brighton Cycle challenge,
10 September 2023, a 55mile cycle starting at Clapham Common,
crossing and climbing winding country roads to the finish line at Brighton sea front.

This isn’t the first time Richard has entered this challenge. So why is he doing it again?

In 2021, Richard took part with his lovely wife Maria to raise
funds for Blind Veterans UK.

Maria joined the Army at 18years old and had a short career with the Woman’s Royal Army Corps, before serving 11years with the Territorial Army.

In 2003, while working as a nurse - a job she loved - Maria began to lose her sight. Within six months she had suffered almost complete sight loss due to the genetic eye condition Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.

Maria started receiving support from Blind Veterans UK in 2004 and, after the charity turned her life around, she was determined to give back by fundraising and raising awareness.

Richard says: “Maria was a blind veteran through and through and the charity meant so much to her".

“I didn’t know her when she first lost her sight, but she told me she was in a very dark place until Blind
Veterans UK gave her the confidence to pick herself up and she decided sight loss would not stop her from making the most of her life".

“Through the charity Maria started trying lots of new activities like skiing and white-water rafting.  She received cane training and was taught how to use specialised software and touch-type,
enabling her to return to work as an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer. Not only did this help Maria, it enabled her to help hundreds of patients going through sight loss – something so important to her.”

Shortly after completing the London to Brighton Cycle in 2021, Maria discovered a tumour and sadly passed away less than a year later.

Richard is keen to carry on her Fundraising mantle.

“Maria felt strongly that the charity saved her life. I’m riding for Maria as I know she would want other blind veterans to be able to rebuild their lives the way she did. I want to forever keep the link with Blind Veterans UK and to also keep Maria’s memory alive.”

You can help Richard achieve his goals by making a donation and by sharing his fundraising page across your social media pages using the buttons below.

If you would like to take part with Richard and help raise funds in Maria’s memory apply for a Blind Veterans UK London to Brighton Charity place at the link below.

London to Brighton Cycle - Blind Veterans UK

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