AN INSPIRING couple from Coventry is inviting people to join them as they take on a 250km guided run throughout January to raise vital funds and awareness for the Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind (CRCB).
Chris Norman, who is blind, and his wife Claire, who is visually impaired, met at CRCB, getting married in 2019, and are now taking on the challenge at the city’s War Memorial Park across the course of this month for the charity.
The CRCB helps blind and visually impaired people across the city by providing them with long-term practical, emotional and social support to enable those living with sight loss to live as independently as possible.
Claire said: “When I first came to Coventry the resource centre became like my second family.
“We recently got involved in running, after changing our diet by becoming vegan we began looking at other areas to improve our health and fitness and running is fabulous for your mental well-being.
“I recently became a trustee at CRCB as I want to see where this place goes in the next ten years, we’re teaching people how to stay in touch with their loved ones and it’s so important we help make the internet accessible to all.”
The pair will be taking on the challenge with the support of sighted-guide friends.
They have run over 40km in their first three days, and have already raised £350 of their £500 total target.
Chris said: “It can be very difficult when all of a sudden people begin to lose their sight and the centre is amazing at helping people to adapt and thrive.
“We’re blown away by the total we’ve raised already, but raising awareness is more important than the money and we hope we’re starting a conversation and highlighting the centre to more people who need it.”
In Coventry, 500 people begin to lose their sight every year.
The run is part of a campaign by CRCB and 28 other national sight loss charities inviting people to ‘Take on 250’, to represent the number of people who begin to lose their sight in the UK each day.
Those taking part can choose activities including baking, knitting, running, walking, or dancing and completing 250 minutes, laps, or repetitions.
To donate to Chris and Claire visit
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/run250 or anyone raising funds themselves can send it to Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind at 33-35 Earlsdon Avenue South, Coventry CV5 6TH.
