Extra challenging ‘Blindfolded Bimble’

Blind veteran Ian has organised his third 'Blindfolded Bimble' and this year's fundraising walk includes an extra challenge.

Ian, 46, and from Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, has organised the ‘Blindfolded Bimble’ on 28 June in response to our Armed Forces Month campaign, which calls on people to organise activities to celebrate and commemorate key dates in the month of June while raising vital funds to support its work.    
 
Ian enlisted into the Army in 2002, at 22 years old. He served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and carried out tours in Iraq, Kuwait and Northern Ireland.  

For the third-year running, Ian is challenging walkers to pair up and take it in turns to walk under blindfold while guided by their partner between Shanklin and Sandown, but this year Ian has added an extra challenge to give participants an even greater insight into life with sight loss. 

Last year, Ian’s ‘Blindfolded Bimble’ saw supporters walking a combined distance of 102km along the promenade, but this year they will complete loops taking them along the promenade but bringing them back to Shanklin via the main road. 

Ian's sight loss had a huge impact on his life. Everyday activities like taking a walk, preparing a meal and spending time playing with his two daughters became difficult. He says:

 “I want to raise awareness of the personal impact of sight loss and also of Blind Veterans UK as the support I’ve received from the charity since 2018 has turned my life around.  

 “I think those taking part will be surprised how vulnerable they feel when they put on their blindfolds and start walking. They will have to really trust their partner to warn them of obstacles and changes in gradient and surface type.”  

Among those joining Ian this year will be his friend Steven. Steven says:

“I took part last year and it was such an eye opener to step into Ian’s shoes just for a short time. I had complete trust in my partner who was guiding me, but I have no idea how I would manage day to day navigating on my own with no sight.  

“It means a lot to me to show up and support Ian in raising funds for a charity that is important to him but to also understand better how challenging it is for him.” 

Ian lost his sight suddenly in 2017. He says:

“My life changed overnight but discovering Blind Veterans UK turned things around. They helped me learn to use a cane so that I could walk safely unaided, provided equipment like a talking microwave to help me prepare food and enabled me to meet and spend time with other blind veterans which helped me to imagine a life for myself beyond sight loss.”  

Ian is inviting people to join him for the ‘Blindfolded Bimble’ from 11am on 28 June meeting at the Shanklin end of the promenade, or to set up their own ‘Blindfolded Bimble’

You can make a donation and show your support to Ian