A devoted dad is taking part in a spin-athon to raise money for a charity which supports his visually impaired son.
Tom Sharp, from Clevedon, is hopping on an exercise bike on December 15 to raise as much as he can for VICTA, which supports children and young people who are blind or partially sighted.
Everyone Active has lent Tom three spinning bikes for the challenge and he will pedal from 9am-6pm at Tesco in Clevedon.
He has also given 30-minute slots to fellow fundraisers on the other two bikes in return for a £15 donation to the cause.
He said: “My son is visually impaired and has ocular albinism and associated nystagmus.
“He is 10 and attends Mary Elton Primary School. Mary Elton has agreed to have VICTA as their chosen charity for the year.
“We will be running a week of fundraising activities at the school in April next year. I am trying to raise £3,000 for VICTA through this.
“VICTA is amazing. Every year VICTA runs a family weekend, one at Easter and one in summer.
“Around 100 families with visually impaired children turn up and get put into groups.
“The children go off with volunteers and do amazing things like abseiling, trapeze, climbing and zip wires while the parents go to workshops and talks.
“The parents join the children on the last day and do activities together.
“As well as the family weekends, VICTA does tons of other work such as days out and trips abroad.
“We have attended four of these weekends now so want to give something back by helping – and doing the marathons of course.”
Tom, aged 41, has run the London Marathon for VICTA twice, but this year he is completing it as a guide for Chris Blackabee who is blind.
Tom met Chris through the Visually Impaired Runners group in Bristol.
Chris and fellow members of the running group will be taking part in the spin-athon to support Tom’s fundraising appeal.
Tom has a number of other events up his sleeve to raise money for the charity – he is taking part in the Green Man Ultra in March and the Snowdonia Ultra in May.
To donate, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/tomsharp
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here