Plymouth woman takes on 100k walk for charity

A woman from Devon is taking on a 100k walk for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, and is calling on others to join her.

Cindy Willcocks, 38 and from Plymouth, decided to sign up for the Blind Veterans UK 100k London to Brighton challenge after her friend Nigel Evans encouraged her to join him.

Cindy says: “Nigel tried to get me to do it last year but it was a bit close to the event so I told him I would do it the following year. He made me keep my promise!”

Cindy raises money for charity each year in memory of her father. This year, instead of donating the money, she decided to challenge herself in the process.

Cindy feels particularly strong about fundraising for Blind Veterans UK. Cindy suffers from a hereditary eye condition, that could lead to her losing her sight at any time.

She says: “I get regular eye checks but it is a scary thought. I also have a lot of friends who are currently serving, which made it an easy decision to raise vital funds for Blind Veterans UK.”

Cindy is looking forward to the 100k and she recently did a 56k training walk.

She says: “It is a tough challenge and after the training walk reality sunk in on how hard it will be. However, I’m convinced I’ll finish and I’m sure Nigel will be a great help on the day.”

Registration for the walk, which will kick off in Putney on Saturday 6th June, is currently open with a registration fee of £20 per participant for the 50km or £30 for the 100km. Teams taking part in the relay have a registration fee of £80. The all-inclusive entrance fee for participants includes hot food at three rest stops, snacks and refreshments along the route and a free event t-shirt.

The event is Blind Veterans UK’s biggest annual fundraiser and takes walkers from a starting point in south London, along the banks of the Thames, through countryside paths in Surrey, Sussex and the North and South Downs to the charity’s centre in Ovingdean, Brighton.

Cindy says: “I believe you can achieve anything you put your mind to. You don’t have to be special or super fit for this challenge, if you’re determined you will finish.”

Blind Veterans UK needs as many people as possible to take part in the 100k, which will help the charity to continue to provide a lifetime's practical and emotional support to over 4,000 veterans, regardless of when they served and how they lost their sight.

To find out more about Blind Veterans UK’s 100k challenge, and to sign up for the event, visit www.blindveterans.org.uk/100k.

To sponsor Cindy as she tackles the Blind Veterans 100k challenge, please visit www.justgiving.com/Arterne-Cindy-Willcocks.