A mother and daughter from the Meon Valley will be running as one in a bid to raise money for those affected by sight loss.

Kirsty Tilley, 33, and her daughter Keira Mills, 13, from Waltham Chase, are gearing up for the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) ‘Double Dash’ on Saturday, May 7, which will see them run 5k through London’s Regent’s Park.

The pair say they joined team RNIB to give something back to the charity and help raise awareness of the challenges people who are visually impaired face every day.

Kiera was born with bilateral optic atrophy, which affects the optic nerve in her eyes. She also has nystagmus, a condition that causes uncontrolled movement of the eyes.

The ‘Double Dash’ will see people paired up to run together using a tether, inspired by blind and partially sighted people who run with a guide.

Both keen runners, the pair decided to sign up and conquer the run together. Kirsty said: “We run together every Saturday, and sometimes we even try to get out in the middle of the week. It’s a great way to spend quality time with one another; I love being her guide runner.”

READ MORE: Dragons' Den: Winchester entrepreneur takes on the dragons in April episode

Over the years, Keira has received support from RNIB and is a regular user of RNIB’s library and transcription services. Keira said: “I’m excited that everyone will be tethered together! I love running and I want to keep helping other people living with sight loss. Plus, running with mum is great because we chat and sing our favourite songs.”

Kirsty, a civil service team leader, said: “Training has been going well, Kiera has become so speedy! Guiding through the wet weather has been a little challenging but Kiera has shown so much resilience. We’re both ready to take on Double Dash.”

Kirsty and Keira are planning to boost their fundraising efforts by spreading the word through their family and friends in their local community.

Lizzi Wagner, head of challenge events and digital recruitment at RNIB, said: “We’re so happy to welcome back Double Dash. The 5k run is designed to be fun with a unique twist. Participants will be dashing around the park with a buddy, and together they’ll help smash the barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people.

“We’re incredibly thankful for Kirsty and Keira to join Team RNIB, and look forward to cheering them on all the way to the finish line”

To support Kirsty and Keira’s fundraising efforts and donate to RNIB, visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/keira-doubledash.

For more information on Double Dash or how to sign up, visit: rnib.org.uk/doubledash.

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support.

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page.

Kimberley Barber