Blindfolded Man To Walk Six Miles

A Dorset man is to walk six miles blindfolded and physically unaided to support a charity which helps children with eye cancer.

Steve Trickett hopes his efforts will raise awareness of the disease and the work of Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (Chect).

Steve, from Wimborne, set himself the challenge after hearing that a friend's baby niece was diagnosed with retinoblastoma.

The 38-year-old, who runs his own catering business, has regularly raised funds for charities in the past and was looking for a new challenge.

He said:

 ''I am no athlete. I am never going to be a marathon runner or skydiver, but I thought the blindfold walk would be a real test of character for me.

''I wanted to put myself in the shoes of someone who faces this every day and truly understand some of the difficulties that a blind person tackles in daily life.''

Steve will walk from Sandbanks to Bournemouth Pier on August 19, accompanied by a team from Chect which will hand out information. He will start at 10am from the Shore Cafe and finish at Aruba on Bournemouth Pier.

He said:

''We estimate to be walking past about 50,000 people along that route if it is a sunny Sunday. If we manage to educate a fraction of those we meet along the way about the signs of eye cancer then it will all be worthwhile.''

Chect chief executive Joy Felgate said:

''We are delighted Steve is taking on this brave challenge on our behalf to help raise awareness of retinoblastoma. Children and babies with retinoblastoma often show no obvious signs of illness which is why it is vital that parents know they must get they child's eyes checked out if they spot any of the subtle signs. Early diagnosis is vital to save sight, eyes and lives.''

To sponsor Steve visit www.justgiving.com/Steve-Trickett.