An inspirational Ravenshead man set himself a new charity fundraising challenge after achieving his first target.

Paul Baskcomb, known as the Blind Marathon Man, originally aimed to walk 800 miles around the village by completing 250 of his three-mile plus circular routes.

After reaching his target, however, he decided to continue and in September aimed to complete 1,000 miles (313 laps) and raise £1,500 for My Sight Nottinghamshire.

The charity supports blind and visually-impaired people in the county and Paul, who has been involved with the charity for many years, is its longest-serving Service User Member Involvement Team representative.

Paul, who thanked those who have sponsored him, has lived in Ravenshead since 1976 and started to experience problems with his vision in his 30s.

It has slowly deteriorated and last year he almost completely lost what little sight he had left, meaning he can now only tell the difference between light and dark.

Despite finally losing his sight, Paul has been able to continue his main charity work, which is related to Ravenshead Community Transport (RCT). However, he has unfortunately been forced to change his role from finance and operations manager (trustee) to that of an ordinary trustee, where he is able to use his vast knowledge and experience of RCT since he founded the charity in 1996.

It now operates with three 15-seater accessible mini-buses.

He was also determined to keep taking daily walks around Ravenshead, even during lockdown, which led to his sponsored challenge from April to help My Sight Nottinghamshire and others.

“Having developed the community bus village routes, I know my way around the village very well,” he explained.

“So I established a three-mile circular route around the village, which I am able to negotiate with my long white cane without too many accidents.

“Therefore, every time I complete nine laps that equates to one marathon.

“Thankfully I have still a very good memory and know my way around Ravenshead very well.”

He joked that during his walks he occasionally gets attacked by wheelie bins and cars parked across the pavements.

“Many people have a chat and ask me how the laps are going. I explain with a smile that I tend to get home black and blue, as although I stay on the pavements, many unthoughtful drivers also park off the road. Together with wheelie bins, bottle banks and overgrown hedges I tend to get a few surprises.

“My white stick is wonderful, but of course it doesn’t always warn me of obstacles lurking in wait.

“It is also surprising just how our other senses heighten when one of them is lost, so I am very aware of sounds, smells and, of course, even minor changes in the weather.

“So I may not be able to see, but I can still enjoy my walks.”

 Sponsorship is welcome through JustGiving at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-baskcomb (which can be gift aided); or donations can be left at Rose’s Pantry, Ravenshead Shopping Centre or sent by post to Paul Baskcomb, 46 Swinton Rise, Ravenshead, Nottingham, NG15 9FR.