Shalni Shood, Director of Philanthropy at the RSBC, presents runner Ruby Brown with her TCS London Marathon vest, as she plans to raise funds for the charity
(Picture: )Vision impaired runners will be able to feel braille banners of support as they run at this year’s London Marathon.
The Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) has linked with sports retailers Wiggle and Balance to bring messages of encouragement for the 35 vision impaired and blind runners who are set to take on the challenge on Sunday alongside their guides.
The banners on the left hand side barriers will line mile 20 and 23 of the marathon course.
“With London’s scenic surroundings and famous supporters often credited for keeping the race’s runners going, the challenge is only heightened for those with a vision impairment who cannot take in their surroundings,” a spokesperson explained.
“This year, messages of encouragement will line Miles 20 and 23 of the marathon course in braille form, so vision impaired runners can quite literally feel the support of the spectators.”
Guide runners will be encouraged to gradually move the vision impaired runners over to the left of the course as they approach so they can feel the braille as they pass.
Shalni Sood, Director of Philanthropy at RSBC, said she was “delighted” at the partnership and hoped to see similar projects in future: “It’s great to see a more inclusive and welcoming approach – the banners are a great example of this. We would love to encourage more organisations in the sports industry to actively support the participation of vision impaired people.”
Huw Crwys-Williams, CEO at Wiggle said: “By partnering with New Balance and our extraordinary charity partner RSBC, we hope to create a special moment for vision impaired runners taking on this amazing challenge.”
Mile 20 is at Poplar High Street and mile 23 on Lower Thames Street, where earlier this year RSBC opened its Life Without Limits Centre for blind and partially sighted children and their families.
