When I first committed to doing the Great North Run, I knew I wanted to do it for a charity. Part of my attraction to GNR was sparked by the volume of funds raised while having an amazing run and a lot of fun.
The issue was what charity to support. There is so much that needs to be done in the world, there are so many things that matter to me. When I met Nik, this added a new dimension. Whilst we are passionate about many of the same issues, inspired by our own life and work experiences we support different charities. We could have run for different organisations but the partnership element is key to everything we do and so, we wanted a charity that represented both of us.
I’d been putting this decision off really unsure how to pin it down. The final decision was made on New Year’s Day over coffee (aren’t all good decisions made that way?). We had been to the New Year’s Day parkrun (by far the best start to a New Year I’ve ever had). During the post-run coffee (the best part), conversation turned to the various run challenges the parkrun pals had coming up during 2022; GNR being one of them. I mentioned that I was really hoping I’d achieve my GNR dream this year, but of course, it was all dependant on what happened with the ballot. It was Isobel who told me about the GNR charity sponsors who have a number of guaranteed places for those who fundraise for them. She suggested I take a look at the list and consider applying that way. Sam brought up the list and 3rd from the top was Guide Dogs UK. Something clicked inside my head, this seemed like the perfect charity fit for us.
Guide Dogs are a charity close to my heart perhaps for obvious reasons. I don’t personally have a guide dog yet. Training for a dog is intense and takes time but its definitely on my to-do list after I finish my degree. Through my work and friendship groups, I’ve seen first-hand what a difference having a guide dog can make giving a blind person increased independence and confidence, rather like running has done for me.
Like many charities, Guide Dogs have been hit hard by the pandemic. Their inability to train during covid lockdowns meant that many blind applicants couldn’t get a dog at all. Many of the new puppies lined up to be trained had to be rehomed as the training window had passed for them due to inactivity. One of my work colleagues had to retire his dog during 2021 due to ill health. He has a very active lifestyle with 2 small children and a job that has him flying the length of the UK on a weekly basis. His guide dog is pivotal for all he does however he has been told that he may need to wait up to 3 years for a suitable match. This has, quite literally, thrown his life into a state of flux. Taking his kids to school, or going to the train station have all become major challenges. He now uses a white cane to get around, as I do, however he hasn’t had to use one for many years. Re-learning this skill takes so much longer. Increased funding will enable the charity to address this shortfall, acquire more potential guide dogs and employing additional staff to train the dogs and their human companions.
Guide Dogs do much more than training and matching guide dogs to new owners. They also support blind people with rehabilitation skills, training them in the use of a long cane so that they are fully independent while waiting for a dog. They can help with daily living skills for those with newly acquired sight loss, and do a range of awareness raising work to create improved built environments for the visually impaired and for guide dog users. Funding helps to support all of these areas making a massive difference to so many. It creates a legacy simply by supporting people to maximise their potential through mobility and independence.
To me, my journey with Nik was representative of all of these aspirations making Guide Dogs such a good fit for us. Running has empowered me, it has given me confidence, expanded my friendship circle, and enabled me to raise awareness of both running and sight loss in ways I never could have imagined. By being my guiding star, Nik has acted as my eyes; the way Guide Dogs do for their new owners turning their lives around. The work going on really mirrors our journey. On top of all that, Nik and I both adore dogs of all kinds; it was an effortless match all round. I registered to run for Guide dogs on that same New Year’s Day; the rest is history. Well not quite as this is where we need your help.
To support our efforts for Guide Dogs, we have set up a fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/vision2run Already, we have been blown away by the generosity of friends, colleagues, family members; and all those beyond our circle who have heard about our efforts and offered their support. It would mean the world to Nik and I if you could support our efforts by making a donation. Any donation will make a tremendous difference to Guide Dogs and will truly inspire us to train hard and run strong for you at GNR. Even if you can’t support us financially, you could help us out massively by just sharing our fundraising link, spreading our story through any on or offline channels open to you encouraging others to help where they can.
In the coming weeks, our training will become more intense. We’ll be increasing distance to make sure we can run the entire 13.1 miles that is the Great North Run. We’ll have to think about how we keep hydrated and energised throughout the run. We’re not aiming to complete it in a particular time; we just want to enjoy our first joint experience of running a half marathon. We are already so thankful to everyone who has followed, shared and, hopefully, been inspired by our journey. You are the driving force behind every step we take. Thank you in advance for any support you can offer, it all makes a difference and really does motivate us as the big day gets ever closer.
With thanks and love,
Ruth and Nik (Team Rik) for Guide Dogs x
