Hello, my name is Paul Smith. I’m visually impaired and have decided to take on the massive challenge of running the London Marathon in 2015. So, why am I undertaking such a challenge? Perhaps this could be my midlife crisis? Unfortunately, I can’t have the sports car, or the luxury yacht but my life did change dramatically midlife when I lost my sight. 

All of us need to have people and organisations to turn to when facing such a life change. I’ve been very lucky that I now have by my side my beautiful guide dog, Pedro, and all the support of the Guide Dogs charity. We’ve overcome daily challenges and grown stronger with every paw we’ve walked. Pedro had not only changed my life but he’s also become my best friend! With my growing confidence, I’m always looking for ways to give something back to Guide Dogs, to help raise both funds and awareness. To that end, I’m now the branch organiser for the Maidstone fundraising branch. With this new role, I go out to give talks, help with collections and attend all sorts of events in my local area.

One day, I received a phone call from the Maidstone Mobility Team about a woman who wanted to meet a guide dog owner and talk about how the dog had changed his/her life. She was running the 2014 London Marathon for Guide Dogs. I suggested she meet me at a local collection so she and her husband, Lee, could meet Pedro and me for a chat. This was the start of a great friendship; from that day on, I helped Clare with her fundraising for Guide Dogs. I went along to support her on the day and, from the minute I arrived, the atmosphere and excitement started me thinking that I could run the marathon whilst also raising funds for Guide Dogs.

I talked it over with friends: some said I’d be mad but others, who’d run the marathon themselves, told me that if they could do it, then so could I. That was all the push I needed!

Therefore, on 26 April 2015, I will be at the start line in Blackheath with Lee as my guide. (Clare herself is running again in 2015). This will be yet another amazing journey in my life. Pedro is not allowed to run along with me although I’m sure he’d cope with the distance better than I will!  However, he’s already booked the day off to cheer me along and be at the finish line with my family so we can be re-united.

It costs just shy of £50,000 to support a guide dog partnership from the birth of the puppy to the dog’s retirement. There’s no government funding for Guide Dogs so all the charity’s money comes from the generosity of the public. If you feel you can support this great cause, please dig deep to help me raise the funds that will give someone else the special gift of a guide dog. It would be fantastic if you would help change a life, just as Pedro has changed mine. It will be an honour for me to achieve a personal goal by running the marathon and giving back to Guide Dogs. I can’t do this without lots of support and help. Please become part of my journey by donating to my Just Giving page. You are going to change someone’s life. THANK YOU!