Team Intrepid London Marathon 2023

What started off for Joni (as most challenges do!) as a brief discussion with a friend about running the marathon and applying for a ballot place, very quickly became a Team Intrepid Challenge! Unfortunately, Joni didn't get a ballot place but Christopher did. After applying for numerous charity places and being unsuccessful, Joni made contact with The Royal Society for Blind Children based near Intrepid's London office and after a meeting with Kevin, Joni secured a place and the planning began. Next step convincing Crispin at the Intrepid Christmas Party!

So, why The Royal Society for Blind Children:

Today there are an estimated 44,000 blind and partially sighted children in England and Wales. Each day, four more children will be diagnosed with sight loss. Blind children are twice as likely to be bullied. One in three will suffer from depression and other mental health issues. 90% will never have a long-term job. Two thirds of blind people are living on or below the poverty line. Most will never have a meaningful relationship RSBC help blind children to realise their potential. They run a family support service, working with families to help provide the best possible environment for their child to grow and thrive. They also help blind children to develop confidence and independence through a range of programmes and activities, building amazing friendship

Meeting with the team at The Life without Limits Centre, listening to the history of the charity and all the work they do, was enough to give Crispin and I the passion to get training and raise the funds!

“As IT Specialists, everyday we navigate through an environment composed almost entirely of visual stimuli. With the way of the world of late, it is a challenging place even for the most privileged, and sighted, among us. So, when the opportunity to support children also facing the added burden of the loss of this crucial of sensory medium, of sight, we found it a particularly compelling. The nexus between technology and the needs of optically divergent individuals is ripe for innovation and it is through organisations such as the Royal Society for Blind Children where meaningful progress in this area can be made. We are proud to be running in support of their mission and alongside theirs and the Intrepid Limited family.” Crispin

“Everyone who knows me will know I enjoy running, but 5k's and 10's are my comfort zone! A marathon will be a challenge and one I am super excited for (if a little nervous), not just as a personal achievement but also to raise funds for this amazing charity. You wouldn't believe how HARD it is to get a place to run in the London Marathon and after meeting Kevin at their Life Without Limits Centre I knew I wanted to do all I could to help their cause and feel very lucky to have a place.” Joni

Unfortunately due to injury Christopher has had to drop from the team but hopefully he will be fit and well to resume his ballot place for 2024 - watch this space!