Next up: Andy and Joey take on Surrey Hills 60km Ultra Challenge!

Thanks for taking the time to visit Andy’s Angels JustGiving page. I’m Andy, and I’d like to introduce my charity, Blind Veterans UK to you.

It is a charity that helps vision-impaired ex-Service men and women of every generation rebuild their lives after sight loss. They have helped by providing rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to those that need it and allows them to live life to the full.

Those that know me know my story and how this charity changed my life. I started to receive help from Blind Veterans UK in 2011, when I developed retinitis pigmentosa and my Army career of 20 years was cut short.

Plans I had to set up a business as a driving instructor once I reached 22 years were taken from me very suddenly - when the Doctor registered me as blind and took away my driving licence that was it. Thankfully, Alton Adult SocialServices told me about Blind Veterans UK and I accepted their invitation to go to the Brighton centre for training. At first, I’ll be honest, I thought it was a hospital, but that soon changed when I met a blind veteran called Martin Shail. Within 24 hours my perception had completed changed and at the end of my four days at the centre my outlook on life was completely different.

Andy’s Angels are a group of family and friends who are a massive support and help me to raise funds and awareness of the charity. They are: Angie Leitch (my wife), Di Smith, Gina Watmore Dawson and Joey Sharma.

Angie, Di and Gina are all work colleges from Deux Chats pre-school and have been family friends for over 13 years, Joey Sharma aka "joeys little
troopers". Joey is an incredible lady – she’s completed a number of
fundraising challenges, including the notoriously tough Marathon des Sables, and has raised a lot for the charity while doing so. We all met Joey at a charity event for Blind Veterans UK and have supported her with events in the local area.

In 2017, my wife and I ran 100 miles every month in a fundraising challenge where we clocked up 1200 miles over the whole year. Since then, I have gone on to complete the equivalent of 63 marathons.

This year, Joey and I are planning to raise funds and awareness by taking part in the Surrey Hills Challenge 60km Ultra Marathon on 22 September. We are also hoping to make an exciting record distance attempt later in the year, so stay posted!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.