Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

'We provide mobility and freedom to blind and partially sighted people. We also campaign for the rights of people with visual impairment, educate the public about eye care and fund eye disease research.'

I've always been aware of the implications of sight loss and visual impairment - my Grandma has Macular Degeneration which
has resulted in her no longer being able to do some of the things she loves the most and as a keen sportsman I'm acutely aware of the importance of my own vision. However, since I started working at Guide Dogs in 2015 I've been fortunate enough to have developed a far greater appreciation of the true impact that sight loss can have, both on those affected directly by it and on their friends and loved ones. To be one day living a 'normal' sighted life only to being plunged into a world of uncertainty and darkness is something which is, frankly, unimaginable to the majority of us but nevertheless there are
thousands of people in the UK who must face the challenge of sight loss every single day, whether later in life or from birth. For me, I can't guarantee that I wouldn't simply shut down and give up but in my experience at Guide Dogs I have been humbled to encounter so many inspirational individuals who do not only challenge their visual impairments but beat them into the dust and in many cases use them as a springboard to enhance not only their own lives but the lives of others also. At the core of this for many people is the Guide Dogs service. These wonderful, loving creatures are not only literal guides but warm, caring friends and companions also. I want to run the Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise just a little bit of the money needed to train and support these Dogs (c£48,000 per dog!!!) throughout their lives. As an added caveat, I will be giving up smoking as part of this challenge (not that I have much choice if I'm running a half marathon) so this will really be a difficult journey for me. However, this is nothing compared to the obstacles encountered by many of those facing sight loss. So if you can in any way support me in supporting Guide Dogs I would be eternally grateful and deeply privileged.

My sincerest thanks, Archie.

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