London Marathon Fab Five

On 26 April, five of our veterans will be running 26.2 miles alongside 50,000 other participants - a powerful demonstration of what's possible after sight loss.

So far, 30 supporters have signed up to run for our charity alongside our blind veterans. They will be raising awareness of the life-changing support we provide, and fundraising so that we can reach even more veterans. 

Andy, 51, is no stranger to physical challenges and this year saw him complete his tenth London Marathon.  

Andy joined the Army in 1992 and spent 19 years with the Royal Logistics Corps. It was at the age of 37 that retinitis pigmentosa caused a gradual decline in his sight which meant he was forced to retire early from the military.  Andy says: 

“Blind Veterans UK has invested a lot of time over the years to help me rebuild my life when I’d lost all hope. They made me realise what was possible and gave me the confidence to start doing physical activities again and get back to work."

Andy will be running with an ex-Royal Marine alongside him as his guide and his guide's work colleagues will also be joining them. Andy says:

"I hope that my experience can help other blind veterans who are newer to the charity and that as a team we can all cross the finish line and be proud of our achievements and personal journeys."

Kelly, 44, has run the London Marathon once before and is hoping to finish in a quicker time than in 2015 when she last ran.  

Kelly has accomplished many sporting achievements including competing twice in the Invictus Games for Team GB and in the Veteran Games and she has run several marathons and half marathons in the past.

Kelly joined the Army in 1998 and served until 2005 with the Adjutant General’s Corp. She suffered a stroke at the age of 23 as a result of an auto-immune condition that causes blood clots. The stroke changed her life overnight. She says:

“I found myself suddenly becoming a blind veteran at the age of 23, I lost my sight and my career. The charity saved my life; I owe them a great deal. They took me in after I lost my sight and have taken care of me ever since. I’ve met so many inspirational people, both my fellow blind veterans and staff who have shaped my life. I am so proud to be a blind veteran and I wouldn’t be who I am today if I wasn’t."

Wayne, 44, will be taking part in the London Marathon for the first time.

He shared:

“The London Marathon is truly unique and I’ll be fulfilling a lifetime dream when I cross the finish line.” 

Wayne served in the Royal Navy for four and a half years as an able seaman warfare specialist on board HMS Chatham and HMS Monmouth.   

His sight loss journey only began at the end of 2022 when he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. He says:

“My life changed completely; I lost my confidence and sense of purpose. I’d walked into the consultant’s office as an independent man and walked out knowing my life was going to change.” 

Wayne began to receive our support in Spring 2023. He says:

“While staying at the Rustington Centre, I was asked to share some of the things I’d like to achieve that seemed out of reach to me because of my sight loss. I shared my dream of taking part in the London Marathon.   

“The wellbeing team at the centre offered to support my aspirations by helping me train and prepare for the Worthing 10km, which I achieved in May of this year, with a view to being able to take part in the London Marathon alongside other blind veterans in 2026."

Alan, 45, is certainly no stranger to the course and will be taking on the prestigious 26.2-mile event for the 15th time. 

He says:

“I love running and I’ve been able to continue to run because of the support I’ve received from Blind Veterans UK.”  

Alan joined the Navy in 2002 but just three years later, when he was 24, a rare genetic condition, similar to macular degeneration, took his sight and forced him to retire from the Armed Forces. He says:

“I felt so lonely and was full of worry and uncertainty for my future. I’d been committed to a career with the Royal Navy; it’s what I expected to do for life but that was snatched away from me along with my eyesight.   

“It sounds so simplistic but not being able to see properly has a massive impact on your life; I find it difficult to read, I can’t drive, and I can’t see people’s faces properly including my own daughter’s, which is heart-breaking.”   

Alan began to receive our support in 2005 and says that the rehabilitation, and equipment he’s received have enabled him to live independently and continue to pursue the sports that he loves. He says:

“I’ve been able to enjoy running as the charity provided me with a running machine. If I run outside of my home, I need a guide but the running machine gives me the independence to run alone and unaided."  

Chris, 65, will be taking on his first ever marathon next year.

He says: 

“I’m taking on this challenge because I want to fundraise for the charity that has been there for me for the last nine years. They have provided me with physical support, with technology and gadgets to help me live day to day life, but above all I’ve benefitted hugely from the camaraderie of being in the company of others who have lost their sight and have a military background to bond over.” 

Chris served in the Territorial Army in the late 1970s and early 1980s and later he served as a firefighter with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service. It was during his career as a firefighter that he began to realise something was wrong with his sight. He says: 

“It was at the age of 35 that I first thought something wasn’t right. I found out I had a hereditary eye disease that would eventually mean I had no central vision. I was devastated and felt I couldn’t tell anyone, so I sat on it for a few years until I had to retire from the fire service. With my eyesight also went my career.” 

Join our team

Do you know anyone who would welcome the chance to run alongside our blind veterans while also raising money to support our charity? We have a small number of charity spaces still available. 

Our blind veterans are jointly fundraising with a target of £1,250 - the equivalent of each team member receiving a one-day bespoke training session in their home with a Community Support Worker or Rehabilitation Officer for the Visually Impaired.

These specialist teams help our veterans overcome the barriers created by sight loss, supporting them to take on everyday tasks with independence and confidence.

You can help our runners reach their target by donating today.