‘Blind Dave’ and The Magnificent Seven

News Release / 28.02.2008

The North Face® has announced its backing for one blind man’s global vision to prove that sight loss is no barrier to human achievement. Dave Heeley is pushing boundaries and living his dream of running Seven Magnificent Marathons – seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days. The extraordinary challenge aims to raise awareness of visual impairment around the globe whilst at the same time raise funds for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

50-year-old Dave, from West Bromwich, is totally blind and became inspired to take on the challenge having had his life totally transformed by the independence provided by his guide dog.

‘Blind Dave’ as he likes to be known, begins the Seven Magnificent Marathons on Monday 07 April 2008. The first leg of the challenge will take place in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands (Antarctica), followed by six subsequent gruelling legs in Santiago (South America), Los Angeles (North America), Sydney (Australasia), Dubai (Asia), Nairobi (Africa) and finally arriving in spectacular style for the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13 April.

Registered blind for the past 20 years, Dave will run the challenge with his sighted running guide Malcolm Carr. He won’t be able to see the locations, routes and supporters – and will rely on Malcolm to describe their route and environment and ensure he doesn’t trip and injure himself.

UK & Ireland Country Manager for The North Face®, Andy Barker commented, ”We are proud to be involved in such an ambitious challenge which totally underlines The North Face® philosophy of endurance, whilst at the same time raising awareness of such an important issue”.

Dave will become the first blind person to complete seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days. Only internationally renowned sighted adventurers Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Dr Mike Stroud – who are readily supporting Dave – have ever completed this ultimate endurance test. Sir Ranulph Fiennes says: \"As one of only two people to have completed seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, I can tell you that it is perhaps the ultimate in physical endurance. Dave\'s inspirational challenge is made all the more extraordinary by the fact that he’s blind – further pushing the boundaries of human endeavour.