26.2 miles for Guide Dogs:

After losing my eyesight in 2019 I know first-hand how life-changing a guide dog is. Guide Dogs supported me to get back on my feet, not only physically, but mentally.

When I lost my sight, I didn’t just lose my vision, I lost the ability to do some of the simplest things, I lost my job, I lost my confidence and independence, I lost who I was as a person. I owe so much to Guide Dogs as they helped me to regain my independence by matching me with the magnificent Milo!! From that independence grew confidence and all of a sudden I became the dad my girls deserve again (never take for granted the simple things like being able to take your children for a hot chocolate), and gave me the chance to be a proper husband again (having relied on my wife for pretty much everything prior to Milo). Through confidence and independence came Judo, came college, came university, came life.

My guide dog Milo retired this year after years of loyal service, and wow it hit me hard. He taught me to be brave, to explore, and to trust the world again. He gave me the confidence to get into sport, to travel, and to experience more of this beautiful country than I ever thought I could. A guide dog doesn’t just help physically, they lift you mentally too and I know this, I have lived it!

I’m running the London Marathon 2027 in gratitude for everything this charity has done for me. For everything Milo did for me.

What your donation does:

•  £25 could buy a white harness, the iconic symbol of a working guide dog

•  £55 could support a guide dog partnership for a week

•  £125 could fund a day of specialised training

It costs £102,000 to breed, raise, train, and support a guide dog throughout its entire life and working career (so if you have a spare £100,000 lying about…….😂).

This is miles outside my comfort zone (no pun intended 🤣). But that’s kind of the point. I will be running with my conditioning coach Jamie from totally Aktive in Crewe and supported by Lee from LW sports therapy to keep me going through the training!

Thank you for helping the next person find their freedom, their confidence, and their way back to the people they love.