World Sight Day sees Les on his bike!
Today is World Sight Day and one enthusiastic cyclist is keen to show the world what it means to be visually impaired.
Les Turner, who lives in an independent living apartment at the Princess Alexandra Home for the Blind in Blackpool, has recently taken delivery of a tandem so that he can get out for bike rides and enjoy the sea breeze on Blackpool's prom.
Accompanied by his friend Alan Bagot, who used to work at the home, Les enjoys the rides out and about on the Fylde coast, weather permitting of course. Alan is at the front end of the bike and is the lead for Les, who is registered blind but is keen to stay as independent as possible. His love of the open road drove him to take permanent possession of the tandem; he first started riding over twenty years ago when the Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Society for the Blind, who run the home, first started its tandem club but dwindling numbers of volunteers to take the lead seat meant the club's bikes were put in storage. Les has now revived this activity for himself with Alan's help and the support of the Society.
The Chief Executive of the Blind Society, Kevin Winkley, said "Les was keen to do something that would give him exercise and at the same time get him outdoors so cycling was an obvious choice. We had a spare tandem and Alan was a willing volunteer – on the whole a winning combination!"
Kevin went on to say "As a local charity we rely on the support of the local community to enable us to continue to provide services for visually impaired people living in this area. We are, of course, very grateful to all those who have supported us by making donations, remembering us in their Wills, or giving up their time to help as volunteers. If anyone would like any information about the Society, its free services or about becoming a volunteer they can reach us on [01253] 362692."
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For further information please contact Kevin Winkley, Chief Executive, the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Society for the Blind, on 01253 362685.
