A man from Colchester will go blindfolded for 48 hours next weekend, taking on the usual challenges of living with sight loss but also going one step further and tackling a 5K park run, 30 minute lane swim and a climbing session…

Nephi Attree, a 29 year old Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor with the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, will be taking on the challenge on October 26th and 27th. As well as facing the home-based challenges like making a cup of tea, opening post and cooking, Nephi will be taking on the Castle Park 5K, a 30 minute lane swim at the Colchester Garrison and a climbing session at Leisure World Tiptree.

Serving soldier Nephi is raising funds and building awareness for Blind Veterans UK, the charity which rebuilds veterans’ lives after sight loss through rehabilitation, training and equipment. He’s fundraising through his Just Giving page and will also be doing street collections in Colchester on October 26th and 27th. He’s 25% of the way to his £350 goal.

This is Nephi’s first time fundraising for a charity and he decided he wanted to do something a bit different. He says: “I’ve been wanting to fundraise for a while but was never quite sure who to support or what to do. But when I found out about Blind Veterans UK and the way that they literally transform lives, it was an easy decision to support them. A 48 hour blindfold challenge seemed like an appropriate one.”

He continues: “I’ve seen the support they offer veterans my age who have been wounded in combat as well as more elderly veterans who have been struck down by Macular Degeneration and the cause really stuck with me. The size of the task ahead is slowly dawning on me but I’m interested to see how I adjust and gain a new perspective on the challenges that the vision-impaired experience on a daily basis.

“If anyone wants to come and cheer me on at the Castle Park 5k on October 26th, it would be much appreciated. Alternatively, if you’d like to contribute to my Just Giving and support the work done by Blind Veterans UK, please visit my page.”