In Paralympic year the Road to Rio starts with grassroot sports.
British Blind Sport is returning as charity partner for the upcoming Leamington Regency 10k. Organised by Leamington and District Round Table, the event is now in its 12th year and has raised thousands of pounds for various charities.
British Blind Sport – based in Leamington – helps blind and partially sighted people to get active and play sport. The charity encourages adults and children to participate in activities at all levels, from grassroots to the Paralympic Games.
In a Paralympic year, disabled sport is at the forefront of people’s minds again and the charity wants runners of any ability to run the 10k and raise funds for them to support its online guide running service that allows visually impaired runners and guide runners to match up and run together – either socially or competitively.
British Blind Sport Fundraising Manager, Ian Carr said: “The run has helped to raise thousands of pounds for British Blind Sport over the last few years and we’re looking forward to supporting the work of the charity again.”
Ian added: “The Wright Hassall Regency Run is a fantastic event and we’re really grateful to the Round Table for supporting us. The event has really helped us to raise the profile of British Blind Sport in Coventry and Warwickshire and funds raised will support our guide running programme so we can continue our work in getting visually impaired people into running through the online matching service.
“On the day of the race, we’re planning to have a stall where anyone can come along and find out who we are and a bit more about our guide running service. There will also be some fun competitions to enter for all the family to join in! We want to send out the message that sport can help boost confidence and encourages social interaction, which many visually impaired people find hard. It’s just a great way to bring people of any age together.”
Mark Chambers, from Leamington and District Round Table, said the organisation is delighted to be supporting the charity once again. He said: “This is our 12th year hosting the Wright Hassall Regency Run, and we hope to see more entries than ever before.
“There is always such a good atmosphere and a great sense of community so it should be a fantastic day. The run has helped to raise thousands of pounds for British Blind Sport over the last few years and we’re looking forward to supporting the work of the charity again.”
To enter the Wright Hassall Regency Run and run for British Blind Sport log on to www.regency10k.co.uk To find out more about the work that British Blind Sport do and how you can get involved, please visit www.britishblindsport.org.uk