Worthing blind veteran determined to complete 100km walking challenge
A blind Worthing veteran is hoping to complete the South Coast Ultra on his second attempt, having covered more than half the distance when he took part last year.
Stu Rodd, 52, has been training hard for the 100km challenge and says he is 'blown away' by the support he has received so far, raising more than £5,200 so far for Blind Veterans UK.
Last year, Stu completed 57km when he took part for the first time but this year, he hopes to cover the full 100km route.
Now a volunteer at Blind Veterans UK’s Rustington centre, Stu will join six other blind veterans for the challenge on Saturday, September 5, setting off from Eastbourne to walk along the South Downs Way. Each has a personal goal to walk 57km or 100km.
Stu said: “As I crossed the finish line last year, I said I would never walk again but I’ve come on so much in the past 12 months. I feel much more confident in my body, nothing will stop me and I want to keep pushing myself.
“I didn’t expect the reaction I’ve had, it’s really overwhelming to know that I have so many people willing me on to succeed. They’ve helped me to promote my event, made donations, placed collection tins and posters in their businesses, organised activities and offered support in other ways that has helped me to be ready for the task ahead.
“These people have supported me as an individual but also because the cause is so good and they know how much Blind Veterans UK has done for me.”
Gary Hart from the Veterans Volunteer Service in Littlehampton guided Stu last year and has been his training partner this year but is unable to be there for the event on Saturday. Instead, Stu will be walking with Richard Phinbow from Blind Veterans UK.
Gary said: “I served in the Parachute Regiment and I’m a physical training instructor. I set up the Veterans Volunteer Service alongside my wife Poppy.
“When I met Stu, he had recently come out of hospital and there had been a deterioration in his mental health and fitness. He was particularly struggling with his balance. I’ve been training with him twice a week and Stu recently joined us for a 30km walk along the historic British front line to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
“I think Stu’s determination and his story will be inspirational and he’ll change a lot of people’s lives.”
Stu lost his sight four years ago due to a brain injury. He suffered a respiratory arrest and a delay in being resuscitated meant his brain was starved of oxygen. He spent three years in hospital, initially placed in an induced coma and then receiving rehabilitation.
Supporter Sean Rich, from Altitude Lightening Protection, said: “Since being supported by Blind Veterans UK, Stu has grasped life with a renewed vigour and has decided not to let sight loss hinder him, if anything it has given him a purpose to prove to others that you can live a normal life with sight loss. His dedication to raise awareness and help others with the same issue is inspiring.”
Stu said the charity had supported him since he came out of hospital two years ago.
He added: “I am lucky to be alive as there was a point where they considered turning off my life support. When I first came to the charity, I was like a lost lamb, but I’ve come such a long way. I take life by the horns and seize any opportunity that comes my way.
“The support I’ve had from Blind Veterans UK and the Veterans Volunteer Service has been nothing short of phenomenal. I’ve achieved so much. I couldn’t even make myself a coffee back then but now I have been given the opportunity to have my life again and I want to give back to the charity.
“I am now a volunteer at Blind Veterans UK’s Rustington centre, telling my story at introduction weeks and speaking about how the charity has been instrumental in my rehabilitation journey. There is always hope and with the support of the charity, those who lose their sight can move forward.”
Visit justgiving.com/page/sturodd26 to make a donation. Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country to rebuild their lives after sight loss.