Richard Simpson a visually impaired man from Greenwich, London who became registered blind 3 and a half years ago and now only has 20% vision. Richard has done a number of challenges over the last few years to support the work of the RNIB and has just canoed the length of the River Thames single-handed for the RNIB.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Richard to find out why he wanted to canoe the Thames for the RNIB.

Richard explained to Toby about why he decided to canoe the Thames for the RNIB and proving that nothing is impossible even if you are blind or partially sighted.

What it was like for him canoeing down the Thames as a visually impaired person, being out on the water on his own, the stillness of the upper part of the Thames, going past people who live on their boats on the Thames and even passing Toad Hall too.  

There was only one tricky moment for Richard during his challenge in the tidal Thames where he got stuck under the London Eye pier but with the kind help of staff from the London Eye he and his Canoe survived the incident and he was back on the water paddling again very soon. 

You can find out more about Richard’s fundraising for the RNIB and canoeing down the Thames by visiting the following Just giving web pages-

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richardsbigblindjogl 

Image shows: Richard in a blue canoe using a double ended ore on the water. He is wearing glasses, a wetsuit with his fuchsia pink RNIB over the top with a red and black life jacket over the top.