RNIB - See Sport Differently

Every year, thousands of people take part in the Kiltwalk to raise money for their chosen charity. 

David Hogg spoke with this year's RNIB Kiltwalk Ambassador Shona Black about her preparations for the event and how you can get involved. 

The International Blind Sport Federation, IBSA, will showcase some of the best blind and partially sighted athletes in it’s world games, when it comes to Birmingham in August 2023.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to John Timms, Event Director, to find out how plans are progressing for the global event.

If you’d like more info on the games, go to www.ibsagames2023.co.uk

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Image: The International Blind Sport Federation

British Blind Sport is taking bookings for it’s annual swimming gala and there’s something for non swimmers and those who want to take things to a more professional level.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Ian Isham, from BBS, to find out more about the day and how to register.

You can get more from www.britishblindsport.org.uk

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Image: British Blind Sport logo

Visually impaired skier Menna Fitzpatrick became Britain’s most decorated Paralympic skier after winning a silver and bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games with her guide skier Gary Smith. 

Menna and her guide skier Katie Guest have just come back from the 2023 Para Alpine World Championships in Spain with a silver in the Giant Slalom and a bronze in the Slalom to add to Menna’s growing medal tally.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Menna to find out more about how she and Katie got on at the 2023 Para Alpine Worlds.

Menna began by giving Toby a run down on how the conditions were on the slopes out in Spain, what the competition was like and how close the skiing was.

Then Menna explained to Toby how she and Katie work together when skiing, how menna has to rely more on the radio coms between her and Katie when the conditions on the slopes are not so good for the level of vision she has especially when it is very sunny and there are very light and very dark patches on the slopes.

Toby ended by asking Menna whether she and Katie have their sights on competing in the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Italy and how she and the rest of the team relax when they are not training or competing.

If you would like to find out more about how to get into skiing and take your first steps out on the slopes as a blind or partially sighted person, then do visit the Disability Snow Sport UK website for more details on how to start skiing - https://www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk


(Image shows Menna competing in a slalom race in her GB kit and turning tightly past a blue flag. In the foreground and out of focus is her guide skier Katie can be seen skiing and wearing a hi-vis orange jacket)

A unique event in Cardiff brought together blind and partially sighted children to learn more about VI rugby and to prove that when it comes to sport, there’s a jersey for everyone.

You can find out more about Cardiff VI Rugby including details on how to join their training sessions by following them on Twitter - @CardiffVIRugby or by emailing Evan Vaughan-Lewis, [email protected]

England and Wales Blind Golf are helping players and sighted guides to get active, form friendships and get into the swing of the game.

Amelia talked to the charity’s secretary Andy and sighted guide Geoff for more…

Go to ewblindgolf.co.uk to learn more 

Image Description: England and Wales Blind Golf logo featuring a red figure in a cap swinging a golf club.

After getting serious about outdoor swimming during the lockdown in 2020, one RNIB volunteer swam the English Channel as part of a relay team. He tells Hywel Davies that he didn't let his sight loss slow him down.

England and Wales Blind Golf (EWBG) are hosting open days so blind and partially sighted people can get active and connect with others through the sport.
Amelia talked to EWBG Secretary Andy Gilford, Trafford Golf Centre Manager Pete Styles and John Biesse from Timebanking UK about the success of the last open day and how people can get involved…

The next open day is on Tuesday the 31st January at the Warwickshire in the Midlands,

Visit www.ewblindgolf.co.uk to learn more about EWBG and the upcoming Open Day.

Visit www.timebanking.org to learn more about Timebanking UK.

Visit www.traffordgolfcentre.co.uk to learn more about Trafford Golf Centre.

Image: Golfers teeing up and swinging golf clubs, some with sighted helpers aiding them to position clubs in a row of driving range bays.

Former international blind footballer and Chief Operations Officer for UK sight loss charity RNIB, David Clarke, has been appointed as the new CEO of the British Paralympic Association.

RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to David ahead of his move.

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Image shows David Clarke.

Our David Hogg has more on how you can get out and about in Edinburgh

To find out more or to get involved in the East Lothian Health Walk group you can email Shona at [email protected]