Brad was born visually impared, and continued losing vision in his late teens, culminating in being registered blind in his early 20s. He learned to adapt to this severe sight loss, using equipment such as using a white cane.

He continues to be active, such as being a regular member at the Able2Be gym where he is coached by IBF, WBO and WBF boxing champion John Thaxton.

These days he is also a father to a 3 year old and works as an App Connections Project Facilitator at Vision Norfolk [formerly the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind]  with the aim to connect blind and sighted volunteers together through technology.

Brad recently underwent genetics testing to investigate links between sight loss conditions and the PAT-6 gene. This revealed a part of his particular gene was missing which appears to be unique globally, and will be subject to further study.

Ian received a message via his local triathlon club newsletter from Vision Norfolk to say they were looking for local people who want to make a difference to their community by offering to guide a blind or partially sighted runner, promoting their work and doing a bit of fundraising at the same time.

He was intrigued, so had a chat with Brad and then met up to give guiding a try. Things went smoothly and we were offered a place to run at this year’s Sandringham 10k. Brad was up for the challenge, so here we are trying to raise a few quid!


Vision Norfolk, like many smaller, local charities, has had a very tough year and a half. They experienced an increased call on their resources, just as fundraising has become more difficult.

They are one of the oldest sight loss charities in the UK - they've been the one stop shop for local people with sight loss for over 215 years! They provide accommodation, befriending, equipment advice, a program of activities for all ages, and more. From their centres in Norwich, Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth, they have a countywide reach into the rural parts of Norfolk. There are 35,000 people living with sight loss in Norfolk, of which Brad is just one.

Please help us to help them!

https://www.visionnorfolk.org.uk/