First of all, thank you for taking the time to visit my pageand a huge thank you for any donations you can give!

Blind Veterans UK is close to my heart because they really do help! From a very young age I helped look after and care for my wonderful Dad Paul, who suffered with MS and as a result, went blind. Before his illness he was in the forces, a well established graphics designer and pilot. By the time I was 10 he was unable to care for himself, but he was and will always be, my biggest hero and the bravest man I know. 

Before his passing last June, he was a regular visitor to Blind Veterans UK’s Llandudno Centre and it was there - for the first time - myself and my mum received some help with his care. Not only did they provide some well deserved respite for my mum, but they took the time to get to know my Dad and supported him in being able to revisit interests he had been unable to enjoy since becoming ill and loosing his sight.  Blind Veterans UK provided specialist IT equipment and software so he could use a computer, ensuring he received all the training and support he needed to be a confident user.  They also spent time with him to enable him to re-engage with his love of painting - provided him with equipment and the knowledge of how he could paint using his mouth. Nothing was ever too much trouble and I have never met such kind and caring people in my life. 

Prior to my Dad’s death I had started completing Ultra Marathons in hope to raise funds for a new treatment that would alleviate some of his symptoms. Unfortunately we didn’t hit our goal in time.  In recognition of their support for Dad, we decided to donate the funds raised to Blind Veterans UK. 

I have seen first-hand that they really do help and I had the pleasure of meeting many other blind veterans that have been supported in whatever way was needed to help them rebuild their lives after sight loss.  I want to continue to contribute in any way that I can in order to ensure that others like my Dad can continue to be supported.

As I’m sure others who have cared for loved ones and gone on to loose them will understand, the death of my Dad left me with a huge void to fill and an identity to rebuild – I’d always been known as the girl who cared for her father.  I want to do that without loosing my connection with my Dad, so I’m going to put my focus on helping others like him by raising funds for Blind Veterans UK’s Llandudno Centre.

Over the next few years I’m going to be attempting a number of challenges.  First up the ‘Ultra Great Britain’ – a 215 mile run across Scotland!

Other challenge in the pipeline include a Half Iron Man and I will attempt to beat the current World Record for running the Welsh Coastal Path.  Like and follow my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Star-Ultra-Runs-274006481074650/ or find me on Instagram @ultrarunstar to keep to date.

If you managed to get this far THANKS AGAIN!  If you ever had the pleasure of meeting my Dad you completely understand why I’m so set on these crazy challenges – he was the best person you could ever meet!

Everything I do will always be in memory of my hero and in support of all the hero’s supported by Blind Veterans UK.  Find out more about their amazing work at www.blindveterans.org.uk