Hello! My name is Anna, and I'll be doing the Three Peaks Challenge, which consists of hiking Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdonia within 24 hours!

I’m raising money for Blind Veterans UK, a charity that is incredibly close to my heart and my family’s.

In December 2023, my dad, Mark, suddenly lost his sight. It came completely out of nowhere, and overnight our lives changed. At the time, I was away in Thailand on my first holiday as a young adult, a trip I had carefully budgeted for and been really excited about. My dad was spending Christmas with the family back home, and we were messaging while I was away. I remember sending him photos from my trip, and he told me he couldn’t see the pictures properly but could just about make out the text. I didn’t think much of it at the time; I assumed he might need a new prescription or an eye test.

Over the space of just ten days, his eyesight deteriorated rapidly. By the time I realised how serious it was, his vision had gone completely pitch black, no light, no shapes, no shadows - it is still like that today. Being so far away and realising what was happening was devastating. After I returned from my trip in early January, my dad was admitted to the hospital, where he stayed for five weeks. I travelled to see him every week, even though we didn’t live close. Communication was often difficult, and sometimes we struggled to talk properly, so those visits became the main way I stayed connected with him.

It was heartbreaking to see my dad going through something so sudden and life-changing, and at times I felt helpless knowing there was nothing I could do to make it better. As time went on, travelling regularly just wasn’t sustainable for me — I was a student and working, I simply couldn’t afford the cost of constant trips, which made the situation even harder emotionally.

As a family, we came together to support him in any way we could, and we were very grateful for the carers provided through the council, who helped during such an overwhelming period. Even with that support, we didn’t know what the future would look like for my dad, or how he would adapt to losing his sight so suddenly. Losing his vision changed every part of his day-to-day life. Simple things he had always done without thinking — stepping out of the front door for a walk, making himself a cup of tea, choosing clothes to get dressed, doing the grocery shopping, or even texting and calling me — suddenly became incredibly difficult or impossible, and he was now no longer independent.

This was when Blind Veterans UK stepped in. They supported my dad during one of the most difficult times of his life, helping him rebuild confidence and find a sense of purpose again.

They helped him adapt to everyday life by setting up a voice-activated phone so he could communicate more independently, providing him with a cane, and arranging a volunteer to take him out for regular walks.

One of the most meaningful moments for my dad was taking part in a week-long trip to Llandudno, organised by Blind Veterans UK. During that week, he took part in activities alongside fellow blind veterans who truly understood what he was going through. It gave him confidence, connection and a real sense of belonging at a time when he needed it most.

That is why I’m taking on the Three Peaks Challenge. I want to raise vital funds, so Blind Veterans UK can continue supporting veterans who experience sudden sight loss, just like my dad did.

Thank you for reading my story 💙