Ballarat man Dale Pierce will run 100km in less than 24 hours to raise funds for people who are blind or have low vision, as part of Vision Australia’s 100K Your Way fundraiser.
The fundraising effort will begin at midnight on April 1 at Planet Fitness Delacombe. Pierce will be accompanied by his running guide, Kel, from Ballarat Care.
He is aiming to finish the challenge by 5pm the same day.
“The response from the Ballarat community has been incredible,” Pierce said.
“Planet Fitness will open the gym up to all members of the public who would like to support me and get involved. My local Park Run participants will also be there to cheer me on, as will my Seeing Eye Dog, Yana. Even the Mayor has said she will join in!”
Pierce said he is passionate about raising funds for the advocacy and support organisation, which helped him regain his independence after his diagnosis through services like orientation and mobility training, disability employment services, occupational therapy and assistive technology.
“When I first received my blindness diagnosis, I thought all was lost; I lost my job, car and independence virtually overnight. It would’ve helped me immensely if I had someone with a similar diagnosis tell me that I can still do the things I love, just differently,” he said.
“I encourage anyone who is willing and able to, to come down and donate. My aim is to inspire others living with a disability to live their life and not to be afraid to give something a go. “
Vision Australia’s 100K Your Way fundraiser encourages people to move 100km during the month of April to raise funds for people who are blind or have low vision so that they can live active and independent lives.
To register for the fundraiser yourself, visit the website.