Challenge of a lifetime
In just a few weeks time, Kathy Simper, from Morden, Surrey, faces the challenge of a lifetime when she takes part in the Virgin London Marathon to raise money for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
On Sunday 25th April, 47-year-old Kathy, who is registered blind, will be tackling the gruelling 26-mile course with running partner, Wendy Ballard, acting as her guide.
Training
Kathy and Wendy have been training hard for months now but hope that it will all be worthwhile and that they will raise thousands of pounds for RNIB, the charity that offers practical support, advice and information to almost two million people living with sight loss in the UK.
Mother-of-four Kathy has nystagmus and cone rod dystrophy, and was born with virtually no vision, but as this race shows she refuses to allow her sight loss prevent her from living life to the full.
Of her upcoming challenge, Kathy confesses: "This is my first marathon and although I'm excited, it is a little daunting. My family keep joking that I won't be able to make it, but I'm determined to prove them wrong."
RNIB
Kathy continues: "My husband, Steve, is also blind so RNIB has made a real difference to our lives. RNIB helps people who have lost their sight find their lives again, but right now they can only reach one in three people, so please, dig deep and help them reach everyone."
You can sponsor Kathy and Wendy by visiting their online fundraising page on http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/wendyballard. To find out more about how you can support RNIB, visit www.rnib.org.uk/getinvolved. If you'd like to run for RNIB, the charity still has available places for numerous running events from marathons to 5k fun runs, email fundraising@rnib.org.uk for details.
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For further information contact: Graham Sefton, RNIB Press Office, 020 7391 2223. Out of hours mobile 07968 482812
Images available: Photo of Kathy Simper and Wendy Ballard is available on request.
Notes to editors:
About RNIB
Everyday around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. There are almost two million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk.
RNIB has got a running event for everyone - from 26-mile marathons to 5k fun runs. We still have places available for the British 10k, the Royal Parks Half Marathon and the Great North Run, as well as the Berlin and New York Marathons. Visit www.rnib.org.uk/getinvolved to find out more.
RNIB's National Library Service - This is the largest specialist library in the UK for readers with sight loss, with over 40,000 titles. It is free to join and offers Braille books, giant print books and Moon books as well as Braille music and online reference services. It also incorporates the Talking Books library which offers a further 16,000 audio books.