The Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club enjoyed a talk about blindness at their latest meeting.

Ken Reid, who was talking about his blindness and the work of the Royal National Institution for the Blind (RNIB), gave an inspiring talk to members of the club.

Ken was diagnosed with progressive degeneration of his eyesight 30 years ago, and has been blind for some 25 years. However, he hasn’t allowed blindness to stop him living a full and active life. “Blindness,” he insists, “is a life sentence, not a death sentence,” and in that spirit he lives, taking on challenges which would daunt most people.

He has worked with other inspirational blind people, to show that blindness does not preclude a life full of activity and achievement. He gave an impressive list of the remarkable achievements of these blind people, including running double marathons, climbing mountains, carrying on businesses and so on. Ken himself has run three marathons and was a world champion blind triathlete. He is also a keen hill-walker, making the most of the attractiveness of Scotland’s hills and mountains.

There are, he revealed, some two million people in the UK - one in 30 of the population - who have some form of sight loss that is either untreated or untreatable. Often these people, particularly older people, can experience isolation. And, as a result of living alone, they can become affected by mental problems. In extreme cases, as Ken described it, “they sit in front of a television they are unable to watch, and are hemmed in by walls they cannot see.”

The RNIB recognises the variety of support needed for blind and partially sighted people, and offers a wide range of services to enhance their lives. It also encourages communities to give their support.

An important contribution which the RNIB makes to the lives of blind and partially-sighted people is the provision of the Talking Books. Books are a means of opening up new worlds; for blind people, the ability to access books through the RNIB Talking Books gives them an opportunity to explore and share in a wide range of experiences.

Each adult Talking Book costs some £2,500, with children’s books costing £1,500. In an effort to increase the availability of these Talking Books, Ken’s latest project involves another of his interests: cycling.

In this he occupies the rear seat of a tandem where, as he describes it, he is the “power-house.”

He plans to undertake a 750-mile journey from Edinburgh to London – not direct, as one might expect, but taking in Belfast, Dublin and Cardiff. In this, he will be supported by volunteers, each of whom will “pilot” him for some 70 miles. His journey will start on July 29, with the finish planned for August 12. Ken hopes that sponsorship for his marathon cycle ride will raise a significant sum for RNIB Talking Books.

Ken’s progress on his journey can be followed on www.facebook.com/cycle750. Donations can be made to www.justgiving.com/cycle750.

Following some questions to Ken about the potential difficulties of his marathon cycle, Gail Edwards, Speaker’s Host, wished Ken every success in his project, and thanked him warmly for an inspiring talk.

In the course of the evening, members joined with President Mary Fraser to congratulate Club members, Peter and Paddy Holmes, on their Golden Wedding Anniversary, and to wish them future health and happiness.

The meeting of the Rotary Club on Thursday April 28 will be held at the Westlands Hotel, Doune Road, at 6pm for 6.30pm. The speaker will be Murray Cook who will talk about the history of Dunblane’s Vikings. Visitors to the Club are always very welcome. Anyone interested in attending should contact the Club Secretary, Iain Fraser at secretary@dunblanerotary.org or on 01786 822751. More information can be found on the Club website: www.dunblanerotary.org.uk or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dunblanerotary.