Sport | Other Sports
Dh10,000 raised for finding cure to blindness
More than Dh10,000 has been raised by participants in the Dubai Marathon, to help find a cure for blindness.
- By Alice Johnson, Saff Reporter
- Published: 23:33 January 16, 2009
- Katie Newitt (Foresight Chairwoman) became the first blind person to complete the Dubai Marathon.
- Image Credit: Alice Johnson/Gulf News
Dubai: More than Dh10,000 has been raised by participants in the Dubai Marathon, to help find a cure for blindness.
Just last week, the Foresight charity was contacted by a family where all three children are going blind from a genetic retinal disease.
A total of 60 people took part in the three organised runs for Foresight, which raises funds for research into hereditary eye disease and support visually-impaired community members.
Yesterday, Katie Newitt (Foresight Chairwoman) became the first blind person to complete the Dubai Marathon, doing so in less than five hours, despite a painful foot injury.
Gulf News caught up with Newitt as she crossed the finish line. "I'm elated and I feel fantastic - I'm really pleased that we've finished," Newitt said through gasps of breath. "For anyone that's losing their sight, I'd say just keep going and try to deal with the position they've been put in."
Rebecca Janaway, her sighted guide, also completed the course and beat her own personal record by 14 minutes. Sally Prosser, communications manager, Foresight, said:"Being blind isn't the end of your life," she said, Donations can be made via Foresight's website www.foresightrp.com
Share this article
Popular in Sport
-
Football
Goal rush expected at Beach Soccer World Cup
A total of 970 scored in four editions
Sport Editor's choice
-
Inside the mind of Pacman
In the ring with Manny Pacquiao to see what makes this boxer tick
-
Al Ahli coach gears up for tourney
He believes team can rise to the challenge as they get off to a good start
-
Kiwis back in hunt for series win
McCullum, Guptil and Styris stole match way from Pakistan
