The Beacon Centre for the Blind supports people living with sight loss to lead fuller, more independent lives, providing vital support, adapted services and specialist vision aids.

Sight loss, particularly macular degeneration, is something we have witnessed first-hand within our own family. We’ve seen the impact it can have on someone’s independence, confidence and everyday life, but we’ve also seen how much difference the right support can make.

The Beacon Centre provides that support to people and their families, helping them adapt, maintain their independence and continue doing the things that matter to them.

Having seen this ourselves, we wanted to do something positive to help support the work they do.

So, over the next year, we’re going to push ourselves well outside our comfort zones and take on two big challenges together. We’re starting with the Chester Marathon in October 2026, before heading to Tanzania in January 2027 to take on a seven-day trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

We’ve set ourselves a fundraising target of £5,895 — £1 for every metre of Kilimanjaro’s elevation above sea level.

We’re funding the challenges ourselves, meaning every penny we raise will go towards supporting the Beacon Centre and the people who use its services.

For us, this is about taking something that we’ve experienced within our own family and turning it into something positive. If the miles we run and the metres we climb can help someone else have a little more independence, confidence or support in their everyday life, then every step will be worth it.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for supporting us. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference.