MY BLIND DRIVE... Ever since I can remember I have always wanted to drive. This Blind drive was my first time. I thought I would only ever be a passenger. I awoke with a few nerves but I was raring to get behind the wheel. Even though I was nervous I still looked relaxed, the instructor making me feel at ease. I forgot to keep hold of the steering wheel but the car was still moving. It was so different to any dream I have ever had and for the Blind drive I felt so glad.

I would like to thank all who sponsored me for this challenge. Carol Adams

NEW APP FOR VIP'S...

iDentifi is a new App from Apple which enables Sight Impaired people to take a photograph of an object and then the App will download the photo image and read what it is. This is a free App for Apple users the links below will first show a video of the App in action and the second link downloads the App.

And free App to download at Apple Store:

For those of you who receive this newsletter by email fundraising competition cards are now available from SRSB please callJane on 0114 2722757.

SCAFEL PIKE CHALLENGE - 2014 - FUNDRAISING FOR SRSB AND SVIWG

Our SVIWG team of 14 met at SRSB on 26 September 2014, to borrow one of their mini buses. Our team: Visually impaired - Susan Hill, Hillary Myers, Alan Rolfe and Eric Andrews and Guides - Christine Hewitt, Margaret Patrick, Joyce Harrison, Anne Rolfe, David Kayley, Steve Myers (driver), Norman Pearson, Brett Marsh, Peter Blackwell and David Cadet. Everyone had a soft holdall and rucksack, which nicely filled our mini bus, and away we went.

All expenses are paid for by the above members of our group. We arrived at our accommodation for the next two nights at Santon Bridge Inn. The following morning breakfast was served at 8am and then we were off in our bus to start of Scafel Pike. Here we met up with our Leader, Jeremy and his pal David the back marker. Our route was the same as that used by all the people attempting the challenge of climbing the Three National Peaks within 24 hours. Our challenge was just to prove a Visually Impaired Walking Group could also do it (in previous years we had scaled Snowdon and Ben Nevis).

The weather was fair dry, and our timing started from where we parked the bus in the National Trust Car Park. The start was relatively easy, a gentle slope with rocks and grass, with brown sheep grazing. We crossed a footbridge over a dried up river then the going started to get steeper with more rocks. Gradually, we ran out of grass and now there were no sheep, only rocks and boulders - and no path, just more and more rocks and boulders! Small cairns appeared which presumably were the only sign that we were on the right route. It was very difficult going for everyone but especially for the visually impaired.

Our guides did their best to guide us zig zagging to try and find easiest routes and most manageable rocks to clamber over. The weather was changeable, windy then light rain. Brett gallantly loaned me his jacket, as I had left mine in the wardrobe, and poor Brett had been overheating pulling me over rocks. Eventually we were in the clouds, with very poor visibility (for everyone)!. Apparently on rare occasions there are wonderful views but not today. We had reached the Summit, so we stayed on top to eat our food but not for long - it was freezing. I asked Jeremy if there was an easier way down. The answer was NO. It was just longer, as our route was almost straight up, so down we started.

My level of fitness let me down. I had sprained my ankle a couple of years ago coming down Winnats Pass, and then I had damaged my knee on a fall on Ben Nevis. Both these old injuries did not like Scafel Pike and were giving me a lot of grief. I could not see how my colleagues were managing, but I am sure they were also struggling. However, after a couple of bad falls, where both my guide and myself finished horizontal, we had to change our method. We had been lucky not to sustain any serious injuries, from about 2/3 of the way down I was guided down with a guide either side of me. This proved a very good method, and there were no further falls. I OWE MY GUIDES A DEPTH OF GRATITUDE.

We were all very pleased to get back to our Inn, where we thoroughly enjoyed a pint or two, and thanked Jeremy and David for all their help. The best memories of this challenge for me were the great comradeship, the humour and our Inn. The food was excellent and so was Jennings beer. Our time was 9 hours 4 minutes and 29 seconds. At the time of writing the funds raised are almost £1500. eric andrews

MY SCAFEL PIKE CHALLENGE 1

For those of you who did not know - I didn't really want to go - I said to Christine its a no - Then we went to Llandudno - Whilst we were there, some words of kind - Two people sort of changed my mind - Now I have to overcome - Scafel Pike bring it on - Saturday morning half past nine - At the base to start the climb - Nervous, anxious and excited - If I do this I shall be delighted - We went up and it was rough - We came down and it was tough - Back at base after the hike - We had conquered Scafel Pike - Inner thoughts and not out loud - Feeling rather chuffed and proud - Not just for me but everyone - VIP's and Guides well done. David Cadet

SCAFELL PIKE CHALLENGE 2..

Wainwright said "The ascent of Scafell Pike is the toughest proposition the collector of summits is called upon to attempt". Well - we did it. On your behalf and to raise money for SRSB. 4 VIPs and 10 guides stepped up to the plate. It took us 9 hours 4 minutes and 29 seconds to climb England's highest mountain and get back to our starting point. It was hard, hard, hard with very steep, rocky, uneven paths, a field of boulders to scramble over and a final pull over a long, steep and slippery scree slope and then we had to get down again. No easy task for VIPs and guides alike. Thank you to all those who supported us by taking part in the 'Guess the Time' competition or who have already donated money. If you missed the completion - there is still time just to make a donation to SRSB. Just make sure SRSB know it is money for the Scafell Pike Challenge. All contributions will be gratefully received. Christine (One very tired and aching Chairlady!)

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