My Story

Hi! Thanks for visiting my fundraising page for VICTA for London Marathon 2025!

I'd always said I would never run a marathon, but if I got the chance, then it would have to be for a very special cause. Having worked in the Optical Industry for over 18 years, it's fitting that the charity that I selected and who chose me is VICTA: A fantastic charity which provides support to children and young adults aged upto 29 years old, who are blind or partially sighted, as well as their families.

On a personal note, I have an eye condition called Keratoconus (irregular shaped cornea), for over 12 years. I've been fortunate enough to manage my condition through spectacles, specialist contact lenses and a corneal graft surgery, whereas the children and young adults that VICTA support aren't so lucky.

Your support and donations would mean the world to me as I take on this incredible challenge. Every contribution helps VICTA continue their vital work for these children and their families, whilst motivating me during my marathon training plan through this cold Winter weather.

Thank you so much for being a part of my #AMARathon journey.

Help to change the lives of children and young adults with sight loss

Each day, four more children will be diagnosed with sight loss. 
Vision-impaired children are twice as likely to be bullied.
1/3 will suffer from depression and other mental health issues.

VICTA is a small but national charity in the UK that empowers children and young adults who are blind or partially sighted and their families. Aware that feelings of isolation and loneliness are dominant within the world of vision impairment, VICTA use activity-based learning as a positive setting for social interaction. For blind and partially sighted young people, involvement in team-based activities can be positively associated with social acceptance and a sense of belonging, especially where such involvement is characterised by positive coaching, progressive skill development and peer support. VICTA work hard to help young people question limiting presumptions they might have, helping them to view themselves and their potential in a new way. VICTA want them to be able to make a difference to their own lives.

Donate today to help VICTA provide:

• Family activities which support and empower families with a vision impaired child through shared experiences
• Young Achievers activities for 0-10 year olds, designed to support families with very young children who have just received a vision impairment diagnosis
• Pre-teen and Youth Activities for 10-17 year olds, which offer hands-on learning and support personal growth in fun, safe and supportive environments
• Young Adult Activities which support the development of life skills and the transition into adulthood and the workplace
• Parent online workshops which help families overcome the challenges of raising a child with a visual impairment