Blind Ambition

A blind man is set to run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. Dave Heeley, 49, will begin his Seven Magnificent Marathons Challenge on April 7, with the aim of increasing awareness of visual impairment around the globe and raising funds for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

His gruelling week begins in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands (Antarctica), followed by Santiago, Chile (South America), Los Angeles, USA (North America), Sydney, Australia(Australasia), Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Asia) and Nairobi, Kenya (Africa).

The final leg will bring him back to Europe, where he will run the Flora London Marathon on April 13.

Mr Heeley, a carpenter from West Bromwich in the West Midlands, said: “Having suffered sight loss, I know how terrifying life can seem.

“I am determined to create awareness of visual impairment around the globe in an effort to improve services for blind and partially sighted people, while also raising money for Guide Dogs. I am hoping to make a personal difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people worldwide by bringing mobility issues to the forefront of people’s minds.”

Mr Heeley, who has been registered blind for the past 20 years, will rely on his sighted guide Malcolm Carr to accompany him on the marathon circuit.

The challenge will require Mr Heeley, an experienced marathon runner, to cover 183.4 miles in a week.

Details of Mr Heeley’s Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge can be found at www.7mm.org.uk