Boo (the "Stoker")

Going blind over the last 5 years (as a result of retinitis pigmentosa) has felt like a long journey into a subterranean gloom -  a journey to a darker, smaller place devoid of laughter and very little hope. I was disappearing into a bunker with one entrance and no exit. The simple pleasures of dog walking, watching the sunset, spending time with the newspapers and looking into the eyes of my friends and family were fast becoming out of reach.

Tandeming has changed all that! It hasn't restored my sight - it's given me something far more valuable than that - in the words of an early 19th Century blind globetrotter James Holman, it's given me back my communion with life.

And who has made this all possible..? My tandem buddy Nichola Bennett of course! - My blonde "lookout" - she's a mobile nuclear reactor, fizzing with energy and the passion for a physical challenge - her enthusiasm is infectious and her will to test our abilities at every opportunity is ironclad. She's the ultimate "lookout", allowing me to rediscover and reconnect with the world around me. It's taught me that you don't need eyes to see!

So, by raising money for the National Blind Children's Society, I want to help as many blind and visually impaired children as possible to integrate and continue to thrive in the sighted world around them, and to ultimately experience their own fun, adventure and freedom of expression through a variety of physical activities - who knows, maybe they'll take up tandeming!

Nichola (the "Lookout")

Over the past few years, I have been fortunate to get to know, and become close friends with the Heitz Jackson Family. Through spending time with them, I would often chat to Boo and he would enjoy telling me stories of times when he was able to see better and loved to play competitive sport. I sensed he would love to still be doing this and could be keen to undertake a physical challenge again, and lack of sight was to be no barrier! One day we had a conversation about this and decided we would try tandem cycling together..... and the rest is history!

Cycling with Boo has been a huge learning curve and a wonderful experience for me. After a few cycles together we really became a team. I was learning to describe landmarks, the status of the traffic lights, gradients, pedestrians and numerous other hazards that a sighted person would only have to register sub consciously. While he was learning to be our calculator of miles, routes and speed (whilst also having to cope with my kiwi accent and doing as I say with no argument!)

Boo is a remarkable person. He has incredible drive, passion, enthusiasm and determination. I feel privileged to be his guide and tandem partner, and for Boo to have so much trust in me. To see the enjoyment and mental and physical satisfaction he gets out of every ride, makes our challenge from John O’Groats to Land’s End a journey of a life time for us both!

SPECIAL THANK YOU’S

We want to thank the other two blondes in Boo’s life – Laura and Imo – for their continual logistical support, planning input, nutritional advice and unfailing good humour!

Also, a big thank you to (Uncle) Murray Freeth from "Murray Freeth Animation"(NZ) for his inspirational "1blind1blonde" logo - let us know if you'd like to buy our t-shirts, cards and car stickers then let us know - all proceeds go towards our fund raising effort!