Albury resident, Barry Smerdon, 71 is getting on his bike.
On Sat 19 March he is taking part in The Blind Challenge a cycling event to raise vital funds to support the Mae Sot Blind Centre (MSBC) in Thailand and bring awareness to tandem cycling as a great sport for people living with low vision or blindness.
“We will cycle 32kms from Mount Beauty to Falls Creek,” said Barry with some degree of trepidation. “Along the way we will tackle a 1300m climb,” he added.
Barry lost his sight as an adult due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. He is an active client of Vision Australia and a member of the Vision Australia Community group supporting other people living with blindness and low vision in the Albury Wodonga area.
“My wife met Boon in an orphanage in Thailand when she was a teenager and we have supported her ever since. It is inspiring to think that she is now running her own school for blind children. ”
Vision Australia’s Regional Manager Riverina and North East Victoria, Helen Vey, says that she is proud to support the fundraising effort.
“Vision Australia knows how important it is to provide support to children at an early age and we are very proud of Barry’s efforts to raise money for the school and Boon’s efforts,” she said.
Helen is also hoping the day will help to bring awareness to tandem cycling as a great sport for people living with blindness and low vision.
“We know that physical exercise is really important for wellbeing. Vision Australia in Albury has three tandem bikes available and we’d love to hear from you if you are interested to have a go.”
Vision Australia helps to support hundreds of people from the Albury region who are blind or have low vision.
If you’d like to find out more drop in to the centre at 566 Olive St, Albury or call 02 6023 6611.
Additional information:
M.S.B.C. is a residential school for blind children, in Mae Sot, Thailand. In Feb 2013, Bunsiri [Boon], with only 20% vision herself, started the school [with the help of Australian people], for very poor Burmese and Thai children who otherwise have no opportunity for education.