RNIB - See Sport Differently

The London Marathon, one of the most iconic events on the British sporting calendar, is taking place this weekend with an estimated 40,000 runners taking part. Andy Winn recently spoke to Sundip Tailor, who will be in Sunday's race, and is raising money for the RNIB.

If you'd like to sponsor Sundip, you can do at this link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sundip-tailor 

All of the runners raising money for the RNIB have put so much into their training and fundraising and would love your support to spur them on to the finish. If you're close to the London area and you are planning to go along to the race to cheer runners like Sundip on, the RNIB has two dedicated cheer points where you can don a t-shirt, shake a pompom and support everyone in the race - they can be found at :

Mile 13 - The Highway/Tower Hill  

Mile 25 - Embankment

More information can be found here: https://www.rnib.org.uk/virgin-money-london-marathon 

If you're unable to be there, you can follow all the action on social media using #TeamRNIB.

"We've had people come for the first time, they've not really seen or heard of VI tennis before - they try it, you see them succeed, and they become regular customers - it's quite exciting."

This morning on The Daily Connect we caught up with Metro Blind Sport, and heard from players, coaches and volunteers at a recent VI tennis tournament in London.

Join the conversation with your thoughts on VI Sports, by chatting to us on all of our social media channels or emailing [email protected] #RNIBConnect #TheDailyConnect

Recent statistics from the RNIB have shown that 64% of visually impaired people would like to be more physically active, but 57% felt that their sight loss was a barrier to being physically active. 

On today's Daily Connect, we chat to Martin Symcox from London-based charity Metro Blind Sport, about trying new sports if you are blind or partially sighted, and overcoming the barriers that come with it.

Tried a new sport in the last year? Or are you thinking of trying one in 2019? Let us know; we'd love to hear from you. Join the conversation! #RNIBConnect #TheDailyConnect 

See My Voice is a project run by British Blind Sport, to help young blind and partially sighted people develop skills that can help their social, educational and vocational development. Although BBS is a sporting charity, you don't have to participate in sporting activities to get involved, there are complimentary avenues to develop skills that don't need running shoes! RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Lijana Kazio to learn more about the training on offer and the deadlines for applicants... #RNIBConnect

The 2018 curling season has started and there’s now a club which offers disabled people the chance to get onto the ice. Scottish Disability Golf and Curling offers free training, regular matches, national and international competition opportunities to those who want to try the winter sport, while the golf clubs take a rest. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to charity Secretary Jim Gales to learn more about the sport and how you can play for fun or at a competitive level… #RNIBConnect

The charity British Blind Sport promotes inclusion and access to a whole host of sporting opportunities for blind and partially sighted people.

Their highly successful Have A Go taster days give people the chance to try a wide range of sports and leisure activities that they may think are not accessible. Cardiff will host an event on Saturday 29th September 2018 and you can try sports like Judo and acoustic shooting, and if you like what you try, they can point you in the direction of a local club for you to continue participation.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Alex Pitts to find out more… #RNIBConnect

How do you put your life back in order, when sight loss hits you so suddenly and unexpectedly?

Four years ago, Steven Birkin lost his sight and with it, he had to learn how to regain his independence.

Now, Steve has turned his life around and earlier this year won his first silver medal for Team GB at the British Taekwondo International Poomsae Championships in London.

Speaking with RNIB Connect Radio’s Simon Pauley, Steve explains what lead him to pick up taekwondo after losing his sight.