New Running Club for RNIB

Tuesday 28 August 07

RNIB NI have formed a walking and running club for people with sight loss, both Blind and Partially Sighted. The club, set to commence on November 17th, will meet at RNIB NI 40 Linenhall Street, Belfast at 1:00pm every Friday. The Club is funded through a grant of £958 from the Big Lottery Fund.

The club’s aim is to provide people with sight loss with the opportunity to stay active, something that can often be very difficult for a person with sight loss. All levels of fitness will be catered for as 3 different groups will be formed; a walking group, a walk / run group and a running group. Sighted guides will also be provided by the RNIB and the routes will be mainly along the Lagan Tow path and neighbouring parkland.

Barry Macaulay from RNIB NI stated, "For people with sight loss, mobility is often a major problem and going out for a walk or a jog is not as simple as for sighted people. This club provides an opportunity for participants to stay

active, fit, and meet new people. We are grateful for the support from the Lottery as this will enable us to purchase guide ropes, running kit and arrange some coaching sessions as well as train sighted guides. The ultimate aim is for us to enter a number of relay teams in the Belfast Marathon in May."

Not only does the club provide people with the chance to stay active but Thomas Quigley, who is blind states, "This is a great opportunity for me and other people with sight loss. Any exercise that I partake has been limited to occasionally going to the gym, but this provides me with a new option, as well as the chance to meet new people."

For more information on the club or if you would like to act as a sighted guide, please contact Amaia Ithourria at the RNIB NI on telephone 028 90329373