Meet Look marathon runner Debbie Osborne. She has teamed up with her friends Sandi Cawley and Nicki Wright (who is running for guide dogs) to run the London marathon. Launching on World Braille Day (04 January) They are putting on a virtual 5k throughout the first month of 2020 to raise funds for Look and Guide Dogs.
“It all started a couple of years a go when I trained to do my first marathon, and my running buddy got injured.” Debbie said.
“I was part of a team workout group, and they offered to chip in and run five or six miles each with me.
After completing the Rutland marathon, one of the group convinced all of us to run the New York marathon last year, and we raised money for a boy called Zac Oliver, who needed to go to America for cancer treatment.
After doing the New York Marathon, I desperately wanted to do the London marathon, so my friend Nicki and I applied for Guide Dogs. Nicki got it, but I didn’t. then, just by chance, the day after, I saw a sponsored ad on Facebook by LOOK, and because we wanted to raise funds for visually impaired people, I signed up straight away.
“The fact that Look is a small charity makes it so much more endearing, because you need the money and I feel that Sandi and I are making a real difference.”
Have you already been fundraising?
“We’ve already been doing quite a few things to raise funds. We ran a Zumba evening, a wreath making evening and a gin Raffle, where we raised £510.00 offering six bottles of gin as prizes.
Now we’re gearing up for the virtual 5k, which is open for anyone to try.”
How can people take part in the 5k?
“Anyone can get involved in the 5k, and you can walk, run, swim or cycle the distance. It’s £8.00 to enter and you’ll get a specially designed medal, featuring braille as your prize! You can complete the 5k on your own or with friends or family. You can do it on 4 January or at any time throughout January.
Enter by Sending us your donation of £8 to PayPal friends and family at runningladies0@gmail.com and message your personal details, so we can post you your medal. We’re using PayPal as the funds raised will be split between Guide Dogs and LOOK UK.”
Find out more details on the Unite4Sight Facebook page.
