Blind Courage

Four thousand kilometres in four weeks is an extraordinary journey for anyone, but just imagine trying it if you were blind on the back of a tandem pushbike. That’s exactly what Brisbane-based brothers Lorin and Dean Nicholson will achieve when they arrive on steps of the Sydney Opera House at 8am tomorrow (Monday, April 26). They will complete this epic journey in the company of their pilot riders John Eder (of Warwick, Qld) and Grant Williams (of Brisbane, Qld) and the iconic Sydney landmark will never have looked better for any of them.

The reason for their journey is threefold:

(1) They will become the first blind persons to cycle 4000km across Australia, creating national history and a landmark achievement for the vision impaired;
(2) They aim to raise $300,000 for Vision Australia, which equates to $1 for every blind or vision impaired person in this country; and
(3) Their dearest wish is to change the public perception of what a blind or vision impaired person is capable of.

Both Lorin, 41, and Dean, 40, are happily married, each with four healthy and beautiful children. Each is successful in their chosen field, Dean as an environmental scientist and qualified accountant, and Lorin as a highly sought after motivational speaker and professional musician. Lorin is also a highly experienced remedial massage therapist.

“My brother and I consider ourselves very lucky, even though we are blind,” Lorin said. “There are 300,000 of our fellow Australians who are blind or have low vision and of those, 63 per cent who want to work cannot gain employment. This is due largely to to the general public perception of the worth and capabilities of a person with a white cane or a guide dog. We are not just riding to help make a difference to those 300,000 people.  We are hoping to inspire a nation. If we can cross this amazingly beautiful country in four weeks with our supposed ‘disability’, the field is now wide open to every man, woman and child in Australia to go out and follow their dream, whatever it is.”

Don’t miss sharing this incredible triumph and significant piece of Australian history with their victorious arrival at Sydney Opera House at 8am on Monday, April 26.

The Blind Courage cyclists are now poised on the outskirts of Sydney with their final destination firmly in mind. They will leave the Bass Hill Velodrome at 6.30am for an 8am arrival at the Opera House.

To help the Blind Courage cyclists support Vision Australia, visit www.blindcourage.com

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For further information visit the website, www.blindcourage.com … or to arrange an interview with Lorin phone Anna Rose on 0409 514 933.