A blind veteran from Greater Manchester ran his second London Marathon on 27 April and just three weeks later took on the Great Manchester Run in support of Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision impaired ex-Service men and women.
Steve Dixon, 46, and from Ashton-under-Lyne, completed the London Marathon, alongside his sister as his guide, in five hours and 38 minutes.
Steve says:
“It was an honour to run for the charity although it was tough. My sister got a hip injury at around mile 11 but she soldiered through until the last five miles when she had to give in and we did a mixture of walking and running for the final part of the course.
“It was hot and I didn’t have a hat so I was sun burnt! It was a relief to finish, I was ecstatic and emotional.”
Steve joined the Army at the age of 17 and served with the 1st Battalion King’s Regiment for six years.
Around ten years ago Steve started to get flashes and dark spots in his eyes. He found he had burst blood vessels in his central vision and was registered blind eight years ago. Steve describes his outer vision as perfect, but his central vision has all gone.
In 2019 Steve saw a poster at a tram stop for Blind Veterans UK and got in touch with the charity. He says:
“Blind Veterans UK has helped me in a lot of ways including training with IT, magnifying equipment and being introduced to exercise weeks which put me on a step-by-step plan to running a marathon.
“Due to my lack of central vision, I rely on a guide when running to warn me of curbs, lampposts, signage, discarded bottles, anything really that I may run into or trip over.”
Not content with the London Marathon, Steve with his partner Janine, ran the Great Manchester Run on 18 May in one hour and 8 Minutes. He says:
“It was another hot day. The heat was gruelling but it was an honour to put my shirt on again for Blind Veterans UK.”
Steve is hoping to raise £500 for Blind Veterans UK. There is still time to support Steve, please visit his fundraising page: JustGiving.com/page/Steven-Dixon-5
Have you have been inspired by Steve to take on take on a challenge for Blind Veterans UK? Maybe you would like to sign up to a run in your local area. For more information visit: blindveterans.org.uk/fundraise
Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but knows there are many thousands more who still need its support to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then please get in touch. Call 0800 389 7979 or visit: blindveterans.org.uk/gethelp
