The Big Essex Charity Walk · 27 February 2025

Blind in Business helps young partially sighted and blind people into work through comprehensive Training and Employment Services. Both are free. Blind in Business works with young people all over the UK, helping them to raise their confidence and compete equally for jobs with sighted candidates.

Story

Hi All

Gary and Mark are attempting to complete a 24-30 hour continuous walk around the Essex area to raise money for two really important charities we feel passionately about. We have known each other for a few years now and being from both sides of the utility and council sector, have often clashed so this walk will be a chance for us to make up and do something great.

The reason these charities mean so much to us is that they provide support to people who need opportunities and want to raise awareness of the conditions they are managing and are truly such an important part of peoples lives.

Blind in Business has changed Gary's life in terms of his knowledge of the sight loss world and the challenges people face every day. He has been fortunate to have worked with the team and staff at BIB and hosted a number of students as part of the work experience plans which has been so fulfilling.

With regards the Ehlers Danlos support UK, this is a very personal one for us both, as we have a friend we work with called Alex Akitici, who lives every day with this condition, and we are really keen to raise some awareness of this and support the work the charity does with many people in Alex's position.

We, along with Alex have worked together on an initiative called Magic Fall, which wants to raise awareness of accessibility within the industry and implement change across the sector which is a great opportunity.

This will be a tough Challenge, walking 63 Miles across the Essex area in 24 - 30 hours, but one we are keen to do to show our support and thanks for the work these charities do.

We hope you will be happy to support us, or join us for a chat and provide some moral support throughout a tough but rewarding day(s).

Thank you

Gary and Mark

Links below

https://blindinbusiness.org.uk/

https://www.rnib.org.uk/about-us/rnib-see-differently-awards/meet-our-finalists/#:~:text=Working%20in%20partnership%20with%20Blind,well%20as%20coaching%20and%20mentoring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9S5n1idCKs Alex's Story

https://youtu.be/oncysclzM-Q Magid Fall

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