Tony Barclay, a registered blind runner who lost his sight over 20 years ago, will be running Belfast City Marathon on 5th May along with a team of five female guide runners. 60 year old Tony, who moved to Northern Ireland 16 years ago, was diagnosed with a pituitary tumour in his teens and registered blind at 36.
Having started running 5 years ago with ‘Coach to 5k’ Tony is now an avid runner, ultra-marathoner, coach and owner of Running Blind is aiming to raise at least £500 to support the vitally important and life changing work of Angel Eyes NI, a small local charity helping families of blind and partially sighted children.
“After years of self doubt and searching, I knocked the ‘cannot do’ devil from my shoulder and started living life – and running. Though I am passionate about running, the tiny amount of remaining, photosensitive vision I have limits what I can practically do alone, and where I can go – my guide dog Wallace is a huge help in that respect. That said, he does not run with me, instead I run tethered to a willing guide, who talks me around physical obstacles.”
Tony said “I am severely visually impaired (new terminology), acquired later in life. As such, I have personal experience of life with and without sight. Losing sight is terrifying, genuinely. It takes independence, confidence, it changes lives. I believe young people should be supported to live their lives to the fullest, despite living with sight loss; Angel Eyes helps children with sight loss and families realise that. I want children with sight loss to be able to believe in themselves, for them magic WILL happen. I hope it will inspire others of all ages to seek their own challenges, break barriers and live life to the full.”
Also representing Angel Eyes NI is Bangor woman Elaine Orwin. Chair of the charity’s board and a regular at her local Park Run, Elaine is also visually impaired and a guide dog user. She will be joined by her guide Violet Davidson as they run the 5k fun run.
Elaine is participating in the run “to raise awareness and funds for this amazing charity. My parents had no support when I was diagnosed with sight loss aged 4. It is my absolute vision that no family with blind/visually impaired children should feel alone”.
To support Tony and donate to his fundraising efforts for Angel Eyes NI, visit https://localgiving.org/appeal/Tony/
Elaine also has a Local Giving page: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/elaineruns2019/