Bats Race Across the South West (on the buses!)

Aim

Raising money for Swindon Bats Sports and Social Charity. "Our sight is set on inclusion" supporting the local visually impaired community.

Becky was unexpectedly registered Blind in August 2021, due to a rare degenerative eye condition that she did not know she had. 

This has meant a lot of adjusting and a new way of life for us. It has changed our way of thinking about what's really important, and has given us time to take stock and start to appreciate life to its fullest. 

One of the things we now appreciate more are the people and activities that bring us joy and purpose. 

Becky is always looking for experiences to make her world feel less isolating and small since she lost her sight. 

And that's where the Swindon Bats have been an absolute life line! 

Their main adapted sports currently available are weekly Showdown sessions and twice weekly Tenpin Bowling matches, many Bats members are registered with British Blind Sport and take part in the national blind leagues. They also offer other Sports activities such as adapted Cycling, accessible Sailing sessions, and they have just registered the Club to start up Acoustic Rifle Shooting sessions towards the end of 2025.

And

They organise an array of Social Activities such as a regular social club, a weekly pub quiz, breakfast club, coffee catch ups, a walking group and regular day trips, theatre trips, and meals out together.

Swindon Bats always try to make sure their activities are accessible and reach out to those who find themselves isolated by sight loss. 

They have been absolutely life changing for Becky who is now very proud to be the Chairperson of the Bats. 

In order to support the incredible work that Swindon Bats do it's really important that we take part in regular fundraising as the Charity is self funded through donations and grants. So to support it's growing membership of individuals with sight loss Becky and Uan are again taking on a Summer challenge!

During the Summer of 2023 Becky and Uan managed to complete their very own Salt Path Challenge and raised and incredible £2,000 for Swindon Bats.

They originally set themselves a goal of 40 miles along the coastal path from Weston Super-Mare to Minehead.

Their total distance covered from Weston Super-Mare to Minehead ended up a staggering 54 miles exactly with a total walking time of 18 hours over 4 days.

They navigated over some extremely difficult terrain which was made even more of a challenge due to Becky's sight loss and the difficulty this brings with mobility and accessibility. But with Uan’s unwavering support and constant encouragement from their friends at the Bats they managed to keep going and finish the challenge!

This year Becky and Uan are back and this time they plan on racing across the South West to get from Penzance in Cornwall back to Swindon in Wiltshire in just 5 days, sounds easy enough right!?

Except the only form of transport they will have available to them is Walking and Becky's trusty Disabled bus pass! 

Think BBCs Race Across The World but on The UK Buses!

For many Blind and Visually impaired people in particular a Concessionary/Disabled bus pass is a life line and can give individuals a route out of isolation. 

So with this in mind Becky who is registered severely sight impaired/blind and her sighted husband Uan will be taking on the mammoth challenge of navigating through 5 counties (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bath and NE Somerset and Wiltshire) in a race to get back home in just 5 days. 

They will start their journey by catching a train to Penzance setting off on a Tuesday morning to return by Saturday. With no overnight accommodation booked they will need to find accommodation or take their chances with some wild camping along the way! 

For more information about the Charity please see their Website: www.swindonbats.org 

Any donation you make to this fantastic charity would be so appreciated. No matter how big or small. Thank you so much ❤️

The race is set to start on Tuesday 26th of August 2025. Let's try and smash the target to help them both on this exciting adventure. 

On your marks, get set.....go!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made