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Tandem Trip Turns Up Trumps

Londoner Julian Jackson has raised an astonishing £12,500 for the National Blind Children’s Society so far from his tandem bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End this summer.

With the support of his tandem ‘buddy’ Nichola Bennett Julian completed his marathon expedition on July 21.

When Julian started to go blind five years ago it felt ‘like a long journey into subterranean gloom’. But all that changed when he discovered tandeming which, he says, ‘broke down all my self-imposed barriers, thrust me back into the real world of colliding soundscapes and smells – it’s given me perspective, a new context and a real life balance’.

Julian said: ‘By raising money for the National Blind Children's Society, I want to help as many children who are blind and visually impaired as possible to integrate and continue to thrive in the sighted world around them, and ultimately to experience their own fun, adventure and freedom of expression through their personal choices of physical activity – who knows, maybe they'll take up tandeming!’

NBCS Chief Executive Carolyn Fullard said: ‘We are hugely grateful to Julian and congratulate him and Nichola on their achievement.

‘Without supporters like them we would not be able to help the thousands of children and young people with visual impairment and their families who rely on our support.

‘We wish Julian all the best of luck with the plans for his next adventure.’

Julian is still collecting sponsorship through his website at www.1blind1blonde.com. New donors are very welcome.