The Blindfolded Bimble:

On 9th June, I will be leading a Blindfolded Bimble along Shanklin coastal path, starting at midday from Shanklin to Sandown and back.

“A Blindfolded Bimble?” I hear you cry – “What’s that?”

Those joining me will be walking in pairs, with each person completing just over 3km under blindfold while guided by their partner for the outward or return leg of the walk.

With our walk taking place just days after the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, and as a proud veteran myself (I served 4 years in the 2nd Battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, Queens and Royal Hampshire’s, serving in Iraq, Kuwait, Canada, Northern Ireland and the UK), I am asking each pair to raise a minimum of £80 for Blind Veterans UK with a view to raising a combined target of at least £500.

A personal challenge:

Although I wont be wearing a blind fold – the walk will be just as much a challenge for me as I am still very much in a period of recovery and adjustment.

For those who don’t know me, in 2017, my brain was starved of oxygen as a result of choking during a meal with my family – a simple every-day activity that on this occasion changed my life.

My mobility and speech were severely affected – I had to learn to talk and walk again. The lack of oxygen to a part of the brain called the Occipital Lobe resulted in severe sight loss. This part of the brain processes visual information and translates what we see to help us judge distance and depth perception, recognise colour, objects and faces. In short, my eyes to all intense and purposes work, but my brain is only able to understand 3% of the visual information they provide. Although I have regained my speech and my mobility is still steadily improving (training for this challenge is helping me greatly with this) walking can still be challenging and tiring and my sight will not return.

Why I’m supporting Blind Veterans UK:

Sight loss had a huge impact on my life. Everyday activities like taking a walk, preparing a meal or spending time socialising with friends or playing with my daughters became difficult or impossible and my confidence reached an all-time low.

Discovering Blind Veterans UK helped change that.

Blind Veterans UK is a charity that supports veterans with sight loss, no matter when or how they have lost their sight. They provide practical advice, training, equipment and – most importantly – the belief that you can lead an independent and fulfilling life after sight loss.

They helped me learn to use a cane to walk safely unaided. They provided equipment like a talking microwave to help me prepare food. They enabled me to meet and spend time with other blind veterans which helped me to see that there is life beyond sight loss. I’ve attended themed residential weeks at their centres of well-being – where I took part in activities such as footgolf, kayaking and axe throwing – which boosted my confidence no-end and spurred me on to get out there and spend time with friends and family.

I want to help ensure other veterans like me can receive this life changing support for years to come and you can help me do that in the following ways;

- Make a donation via my page – all funds go directly to the charity.

- Share my story by sharing this Just Giving page on your social media channels.

- If you’re able, why not come and walk with me and get sponsored to raise your own funds or organise your own walk locally. Be at Shanklin Esplanade at 12noon 9th June to join my walk. Visit Fundraise for us - Blind Veterans UK for information on how you can get involved in fundraising.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Disclaimer: Those choosing to walk with my are doing so at their own fruition and are responsible for their own health and safety.