Discovering My Passion for Running
Hi, I’m Grant. I’ve been running for around six years now, ever since I left university. At the time, my vision had worsened, and I could no longer participate in sighted sports. I hadn’t yet discovered sports like Goalball and blind baseball—both of which I now love—so I took up running! It quickly became a great way for me to stay active and push myself physically and mentally.
Over the years, I’ve completed the Great North Run three times, the world’s biggest half marathon, and I’ve been telling myself for a while that it’s time to take on a full marathon. Now, in 2025, I’ve finally committed to running the London Marathon while I still can without a guide runner (though to be honest, people might need to watch out for me on race day!).
Training is Well Underway
Training so far has been going well! Winter running is tough, especially with ice forcing me onto treadmills (which is painfully boring), but the recent sunshine has made a real difference. Watching other people’s training videos and setting my own target time keeps me motivated. No matter how tough a run feels beforehand, I always feel better afterwards!
I’m both excited and nervous for race day on the 27th of April, but I can’t wait to experience the incredible atmosphere and thousands of supporters lining the streets. Completing the London Marathon has been a goal of mine for a long time, and I’m thrilled to finally make it happen—while raising funds for such an important charity. Let’s do this!
Running for LOOK
I’m running for LOOK UK because I’ve seen firsthand the incredible work they do. As a mentor for LOOK, I’ve had the opportunity to support blind and partially sighted young people, and I’ve also spoken at their parent/carer groups. Their mission to help visually impaired young people and their families is something I truly believe in, and I want to give back in any way I can.
When I was younger, I wasn’t aware of LOOK, but I know I would have benefited from having an older VI mentor to talk to—someone who understood what I was going through when my peers and family couldn’t relate. That’s why this cause means so much to me.
Support Grant’s London Marathon Challenge
Let’s get behind Grant and support him on this incredible challenge, running 26.2 miles for LOOK! Your donation, no matter how big or small, helps us reach more visually impaired young people and their families, providing the guidance and support they need on their sight loss journeys. Here’s how your contribution can make an impact:
- £6: Pays for a young person to attend one of our VI-focused employment and opportunity days.
- £12: Provides access to an hour of our helpline service.
- £30: Funds an afternoon of face-to-face, one-to-one mentoring for a VI young person.
- £50: Pays for an hour of counselling for a recently diagnosed young person or their parent/carer.
- £100: Supports a workshop teaching sighted children about inclusion and understanding.
Every donation brings us one step closer to making a lasting change, shaping a brighter future
for visually impaired young people and their families.