Best friends to walk 100k for blind military charity

Gareth Davies, 41, was inspired to take on the challenge from London to Brighton after meeting a veteran supported by the charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Now he has rallied his best friend Neil Cassidy, who is from Denmead, to join him on the walk .

Neil, who has known Gareth since primary school and is currently serving in the Navy, suggested the walk to his team and now a group of seven will be taking on the 100km challenge.

Gareth suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary condition which slowly causes sight loss.

He is registered blind and only has 10 per cent vision left which is reducing still.

Gareth has a guide dog and went for training in Wales for three weeks which is where he met a veteran supported by Blind Veterans UK.

Neil said: ‘Gareth has taken up quite a few challenges recently and when he asked me about the Blind Veterans UK 100k I was happy to get involved.

‘I’m excited to be doing this challenge with my friend and focus on getting more active.

‘I was aware of Blind Veterans UK but under their previous name St Dunstan’s.

‘It is great to be able to support ex-members of the Armed Forces by challenging myself.’

Registration for the 100km event, which will kick off in Fulham on Saturday, July 2, is currently open for a fee of £62.50.

For those not wanting to walk the full distance there is also a relay option available for a fee of £110.

The all-inclusive entrance fee for participants includes lunch, dinner and breakfast at three rest stops, snacks and refreshments along the route and a free event t-shirt.

To support Gareth, Neil and the team as they take on the 100km for Blind Veterans UK, please visit justgiving.com/AWW4blindvets.

To sign up for the Blind Veterans UK 100k, please visit blindveterans.org.uk/100k.