An Isle of Wight man - who lost his sight nearly 30 years ago to this day - has completed a swimathon - despite pools being closed due to coronavirus.
Chris Biles had a child version of glaucoma disease growing up and a small amount of vision until his very early twenties. He has now been unable to see for thirty years.
Despite being blind, Chris - who lives in Newport - has been travelling by bus to the West Wight Sports and Community Centre in Freshwater to complete his swimathon challenge.
He’s managed to complete the maximum distance of 5km or 200 lengths “last minute” over four sessions, raising money for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.
After being postponed because of the pandemic, the Swimathon re-started in October so Chris was keen to get his lengths in - being an avid swimmer with Island charity Sight For Wight’s weekly sessions at the West Wight Sports and Community Centre.
Chris told Isle of Wight Radio he is hoping to one day take on the West Wight Solent Swim, in aid of The West Wight Sports and Community Centre.
Speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio Chris said:
“Swimming clears the mind and it has the effect of relaxation and de-cluttering and generally feeling good - which is one of the main reasons I do it. Once in a while, you can book into something like the Swimathon which has got a community benefit as well”
“I’ve been without sight now for almost thirty years to the day, I could tell it was going - I had just finished my main studies - but it was almost new year’s eve 1990 that was the particular day when I thought well the day before I could see short distance shapes and colours and the next day I thought well I can’t do that anymore this is the new reality.”
CEO for Sight for Wight, Lisa Hollyhead told Isle of Wight Radio:
‘Chris has been a Trustee with us for over three years now and it never ceases to amaze me how much Chris achieves without any fuss, he really is an inspiration to our other members, thank you, Chris, for all your voluntary help and well done on the 5K.’
Chris, who’s encouraging others to take up something they love said: “find something you enjoy doing and see what you can build within that”.
Listen to some of the interview with Chris here.
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