The London Marathon is one of the world's most famous marathons, with runners raising hundreds of millions of pounds for charitable causes since the race began in 1981.

Paul, 45, and his guide Alice, 31, are taking on the 26.2 mile challenge to raise awareness and funds for British Blind Sport (BBS), a charity that empowers and makes a visible difference through sport for blind and partially sighted people. The pair met through Visually Impaired (VI) Runners Bristol, a club that has been instrumental in adding VI categories to local and national events such as the Great Run Bristol 10K and Half Marathon.

Paul was diagnosed with Closed Angle Glaucoma in June 2020. He has lost vision in his right eye and 50% of his vision in his left eye. He said, "Having this condition initially turned my world upside down. I previously served in the armed forces and led a very active lifestyle. Losing my sight and driving licence felt like I was losing my independence. Sight loss can be extremely overwhelming, and it can be hard to see a way forward. Sport has helped so much with my mental health. When I am struggling, running can clear my head. The support from my whole family has been amazing and they are proud of what I am achieving."

Paul has taken part in various runs since starting his running journey with VI Runners Bristol. He has completed a 10K and a half marathon and is currently training for his first and second full marathons in Brighton and London.

Paul continued, "The London Marathon is such a big deal and is something I thought I'd never be a part of. Being accepted into team BBS is the stuff dreams are made of. Just knowing we are part of a sporting community filled with inspirational people gives me a sense of belonging and shows that sight loss is not the end of the road and there are resources there to help."

He added, "My guide Alice has excelled in both supporting my training and taking the lead with the fundraising. She helped to organise a VI parkrun takeover, where VI walkers, runners and guides from all over the Southwest came together. This raised awareness in the local community about BBS, guide running and access to running for those with sight loss."

Alice was inspired to become a guide runner after volunteering for VI Runners Bristol at a race. She was given training, the opportunity to shadow and then the chance to guide a VI runner of a similar pace, and she loved it.

Alice said, "I started running 10 years ago to manage my mental health. I knew how much running had changed my life and I wanted to learn how to be a guide to help make running accessible to more people.

To be running the London Marathon with Paul for BBS means so much to me. We are able to represent VI runners and guides and show that sight loss doesn't mean the end of getting outside and going for a run. We have become really good friends through this process and I am going to feel very proud of us when we cross that finish line together."

She added, "It feels extra special to be running for a charity which celebrates and advocates for sport, running and fitness for all. BBS have been so supportive, and I can't think of a better charity to run for!"

BBS is the UK's only national sports and physical activity charity exclusively for people with sight loss. If you would like to support Paul and Alice to reach their fundraising target, please visit their JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/aliceandpaul2023

To learn more about guide running go to: https://runtogether.co.uk/get-involved/find-a-guide/

For more information about VI Runners Bristol, go to: www.facebook.com/groups/1890506954520150