Call to the Cornish as Olympic medallist Ed Coode pledges to walk eleven miles for blind and visually impaired people across Cornwall

Press Release January 13, 2011

World rowing champion Ed Coode, MBE, swaps his oars for his trainers as he prepares to take on the 11 mile Stride For Sight sponsored walk on 19 March 2010 for Cornwall Blind Association.

The Olympian has decided to be an ambassador for the charity as his family's lives have been touched by sight loss in the past.

The Stride For Sight sponsored walk is Cornwall Blind Association's biggest fundraising event yet. The Charity hopes to capture the imagination of the Cornish as they cross the coast to coast from Portreath to Devoran along the Mineral Tramway Trail.

As they stride past the disused mines, walkers will be reminded of the heritage that serves as a poignant reminder of the Charity's history which started in 1856 to help workers that had been blinded in the mines.

Ed and the Association are encouraging as many people as possible to sign up to the challenge and walk to help change the lives of blind and visually impaired people across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Ed says: "People don't realise the huge impact that Cornwall Blind Association has on peoples lives. If they need low vision assessments or magnifiers, they can get one, if they need help and equipment to lead their lives, then they can just ask, if they need someone to talk to, then there is a person on the end of the phone - the list goes on.

"The charity relies on the goodwill of Cornish people who fundraise and donate money towards the For Sight Appeal - it's this appeal that enables the Association to continue their life changing work.

"Sign up as soon as you can to help keep this charity alive - and to be a part of something big!"

Terri Rosnau, Chair of Cornwall Blind Association says: "We are absolutely delighted to have the support of an outstanding athlete like Ed and we hope that he can help us to sign up as many people as possible to our Stride For Sight sponsored walk.

"Stride For Sight is our biggest opportunity this year to raise the funds we need to keep doing the work of the Charity - and it's a big ask. We are hoping to reach our target of £25,000 - and it's not impossible. If 250 people sign up and raise £100 each - then we're there - it will make such a difference to people who are registered blind and visually impaired."

The walk has been broken down into sections for those wishing to show their support and take part without going the whole distance. People can choose between two miles, five miles, eight and a half miles and 11 miles.

Friends, families, businesses and community groups are all welcome to get involved and Cornwall Blind Association has lots of top tips to help with fundraising.

Visit the website to find out more at www.cornwallblind.org.uk or call the fundraising team on 01872 266712. To enter online visit www.strideforsightcornwall.org