A BLIND veteran from Cwmbran is set to tackle his fourth Brighton Half Marathon for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-servicemen and women.
Charlie Parkinson, of Pontnewydd, lost the sight in his left eye as a result of glaucoma having served in the army with 1st Battalion Kings Regiment and the Royal Army Medical Corps.
The 40-year-old originally from Wallasey said that he has regained his confidence under the support from the charity, which he only came across by accident.
“One of my local authorities mentioned it to me so I got in touch with them in 2012,” he said.
“I’m honoured to be a part of the charity, I love it. I try to do as much as I can for them.”
Mr Parkinson will be guided on the 13-mile challenge by life-long friend and fellow veteran, Richard Kilby and admits to being unfazed by the task at hand.
A keen sportsman from a young age, he has completed three Brighton Half Marathons, the Royal Parks Half Marathon, the Three Peaks challenge, two 100k London to Brighton challenges and three London Marathons – the last of which he will also be competing in this year.
To support Mr Parkinson, visit tinyurl.com/zf8j5z4.
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