A man will be running a full marathon around Sefton Park blindfolded with a different person guiding him for each mile.
Conor McSorley is hoping to raise money for his pupils at St Vincent’s School in West Derby, who all live with visual impairments. The 33-year-old has been training for the gruelling test of endurance which takes place today (Saturday, November 19).
Conor, from Smithdown Road, has been at the school for two years and the money raised will be going towards their enrichment programme and bettering the lives of the pupils.
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Conor said: “St Vincents is a school for the visually impaired, which means a different curriculum that focuses on life skills, [enrichment] happens every Wednesday afternoon. There are yoga classes, soap making, debate club… All the money that I raise will go to fun things.”
The head of humanities will run 26.5 miles and anybody can run alongside him - all ages and abilities. Last year Conor did 10 miles of walking blindfolded to raise money for the cause and has now "insanely decided to up it this year and do a marathon".
He said: "For each mile, I’ve got a different person guiding me. They’ll be my eyes and my ears.
"Basically, I’ll put my trust in them. Anybody can join me - my grandfather is running a mile and he’s 92."
MP Ian Burnley and The Liverpool Irish Rovers have also pledged their support for Conor and his blindfolded run. Conor also said parents and pupils have also been incredibly supportive, as well as members of the wider community.
He added: "The kids inspire me on a daily basis. 80% of what your brain processes is through your eyesight, so when you lose that it becomes difficult to do a lot of things. The kids overcome so many things every day. I’m inspired so much by them and I want to inspire other people as well. I’m not expecting everyone to donate money but if people can support me, maybe they can inspire themselves to do something they didn’t think they could."
Conor will begin his marathon at 10am. Those who want to join can register at any time of the day by the cafe in Sefton Park. He is expected to finish between 3.30/4pm in the middle of the park by the fountain.
If you want to donate to his Just Giving page, it can be found here.
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