Elin Haf Edwards, Trustee, is running the London Marathon for Sight Life

31 March 2023

One of our trustees, Elin Haf Edwards, is running the London Marathon for Sight Life on Sunday 23rd April 2023. 

Elin has worked in the sight loss sector for several years now, including working with the RNIB. She recently became a trustee of Slight Life as she wanted an opportunity to use her knowledge and give something back to a local organisation.  

She says, “I’m delighted to be able to support its future and keep it going from strength to strength. They do so much – it’s actually hard to explain how they have and continue to be so instrumental to supporting people to live independently and confidently with sight loss.”  

Going the distance 

Elin smiling at the camera on a run, standing in front of a grass field with sheep.
Elin’s mid-run selfie.

Elin has never run such a long distance before. She signed up for the Cardiff Half Marathon 2019), but she had to pull out because she was pregnant. Elin then registered again in 2022 but catching Covid last minute meant that she couldn’t compete it again! Her upcoming Half Marathon in Prague on Saturday 1st April will be her first long-distance race. 

We are looking forward to cheering her on from Wales! 

Staying Motivated

Elin dressed in leggings and a bright red jumper running across a the street, facing away from the camera.
Elin on one of her runs.

Elin was initially daunted by such a monumental race for her first solo fundraiser, but she says, “having this focus has really boosted my motivation. Watching donations come in has been so heartwarming and satisfying – so I can’t let those generous givers down now!” 

Having a clear goal can be incredibly inspiring to keep going for those long runs. Elin wasn’t a natural runner but keeping track of her progress – both with running and donations – has been so motivating to keep going. 

Elin has been squeezing in her training runs around a busy toddler, which makes her training even more of a momentous achievement. She wants to thank her husband for being so flexible and understanding looking after their daughter during her long runs! Running a marathon requires a lot of dedication and time and Elin cannot wait to get her weekends back! 

Supporting her Progress 

You can donate to Elin’s Just Giving page here: https://bit.ly/EE4SL. 

She is also posting her runs to her page if you want to check out her progress on Strava. 

Donations and fundraisers like Elin’s genuinely make a difference to us as a small charity. As Elin says, “I’m delighted to be able to support its future and keep it going from strength to strength. Sight Life is one of Cardiff and Wales’ oldest charities – an incredible job, it’s one of our national institutions!” 

Feeling Inspired? 

If you are inspired by Elin and want to start fundraising yourself, we would love to hear from you! We can offer support and help to promote your fundraising. 

Get in touch at [email protected] or 029 2039 8900. 

About Sight Life  

Sight Life (formerly Cardiff Institute for the Blind) supports people who are blind or partially sighted in south Wales. In 2020/21 we helped more than 3,000 people in Cardiff, Swansea, RCT (Rhondda Cynon Taf), Neath and Port Talbot.  

We provide statutory services to people with sight loss on behalf of the local Councils in Cardiff and Swansea.  

In cooperation with the NHS, we provide a support service (ECLO: Eye Clinic Liaison Officer) for patients newly diagnosed with sight loss in University Hospital of Wales (UHW “The Heath”) in Cardiff.  

Our aims are to ensure that people with sight loss can take part in all aspects of society, including work and leisure.  

We offer a range of training, clubs and activities including audio-described theatre trips, confidence building, cooking, drama, employment support, fitness, gardening, IT, music, photography, rambling and yoga to people with sight loss.  

Established in 1865, we are one of Wales’ oldest charities. In spring 2022 we returned to being an independent charity after being part of the UK wide RNIB Group since 2009.  

We have approximately a dozen staff and annual income in the region of £440,000 from statutory contracts, grants, trusts, The National Lottery, donations and legacies.  

Sight Life changed its name from Cardiff Institute for the Blind in 2019 to reflect the fact that we work beyond Cardiff, including Swansea and RCT (Rhondda Cynon Taf). The name change also recognises the fact that we support people with any degree of sight loss, not only those who are blind.  

Please support our work and make a donation to Sight Life by clicking donate here.  

To fundraise for us please click fundraising.  

To volunteer with us please click volunteering.  

Thank you!