Hundreds of runners brave heavy rain to take part in UK's first Blindfold Run at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

2 November 2014

Hundreds of runners take part in UK's first Blindfold Run at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

140 pairs of runners braved heavy rain today to take part in the UK's first Blindfold Run, in aid of the Royal London Society for Blind People. The participants were cheered on by crowds of well-wishers as they made it around the 10k course in the Olympic Park.

This unique event works with runners working in pairs. One person is blindfolded and tethered to a sighted runner, who narrates the twists and turns of the track. Young people and families who use RLSB's services took part in the event including Ed and Kath Anderton, who were joined on the run by 20 of their friends and families to form 'Team Lennie'. Their son Lennie, lost his sight at nine months old as a result of cancer and has attended one of RLSB's specialist Parent and Toddler groups.

The Blindfold Run is the final event of London without Limits festival – a series of surprising, sensory and sociable blindfold events taking place across London.

The event will raise money for RLSB, a London-based charity committed to ending the loneliness, unemployment and poverty that many blind young people experience.

Each and every pair of runners taking part will also receive an extra 10% of their fundraising total from sponsors of the event, Get Living London, the residential owner and rental management company behind the private rental homes at East Village, the former London 2012 Athletes' Village.

RLSB's Fundraising Director Craig Linton said of the run:

"We've had an amazing day despite the rain. The runners and volunteers have made it an event to remember. We are delighted that the UK's first Blindfold Run has been such a success. Our bedraggled runners will be pleased to hear that they have raised £40,000 for blind children in London and the South East. What an achievement!"

ENDS

For more information, case studies or to arrange interviews with RLSB spokespeople or partners please contact:

Emma Thompson on 07884493476/ emma.thompson@rlsb.org.uk

Notes to editors

• RLSB - (Royal London Society for Blind People) exists to empower blind and partially sighted young people to live life without limits. Through an expert blend of education, sports, creative and developmental services, we help the people we work with live and learn for the life they want. http://www.rlsb.org.uk/
• London without Limits is a festival of surprising, sensory and sociable blindfold events to help RLSB defeat the lonely reality of childhood sight loss.
• For details on how to book a place at any of the events visit Londonwithoutlimits.com.
• Case studies with blind young people using RLSB services are available upon request.

About Get Living London (www.getlivinglondon.co.uk)

Get Living London is a residential owner and rental management company recently announced as Property Newcomer of the Year at the 2014 RESI awards. Get Living London is helping to create East Village - London's newest neighbourhood which was recently announced as 'Best New Place to Live' at the London Planning Awards and recipient of the Mayor's Award for Planning Excellence. Get Living London is wholly-owned by Qatari Diar and Delancey client funds – the JV owners of East Village.

Prices start from £355 per week for a 1-bedroom apartment, £410 per week for a 2-bedroom apartment, £490 per week for a 3-bedroom apartment, and £650 per week for a 4-bedroom townhouse*. Get Living London's approach to not charging fees or hidden costs (which can cost renters up to £350) offers a good chance to make savings and all homes come with a range of other benefits including:

-Free broadband and evening and weekend phone calls - All residents benefit from a free 20Mbps fibre broadband service from Hyperoptic, the UK's fastest broadband service, with an option to upgrade to 1Gbps at a cost of £10 per month

• -Great savings with Sky TV - The new homes come with half price discounts on Sky TV's Entertainment pack with over 35 channels including Sky Atlantic, Sky 1 and MTV
• -Designer furniture at no extra cost - Through a partnership with acclaimed British designer Wayne Hemingway MBE, furnished homes are available with high-quality designer furniture. All homes also include fitted wardrobes, wooden flooring to living areas, fitted curtains and blinds, underfloor heating and modern kitchens with fully-integrated appliances

-Furniture, TV and broadband services are installed in advance meaning comfortable furniture, TV and broadband technology are ready-to-go the moment residents move in

*Visit www.getlivinglondon.com for full pricing information and to see current availability

To find out more about East Village, visit www.eastvillagelondon.co.uk.