Still time to join 'Race Across Devon' to celebrate charity Devon In Sight
The charity challenge aims to raise awareness and money
Last updated 7th Jul 2026
There's still time to register a team to take part in charity Devon In Sight's 'Race Across Devon'.
The challenge on Saturday 18th July, 2026. lleaving and returning to Exeter, is to highlight the estimated 51,000 people in the county with a life-impacting visual impairment, or one in 20 residents, and the challenges they can face.
It is organised by support charity Devon In Sight and each of the teams includes a visually impaired participant, a sighted guide and safety participant.
Team names registered so far include “Eyes on the Finish,” “Eyeconic,” “The Sight See’rs,” “The Wobbby Eye Wanderers” and “The Eyes Have It.”
The challenge aims to highlight the potential barriers to using public transport for those with a visual impairment - with deductions planned for those who have to use a car or taxi for example.
Mandy Darling, the charity's Community Engagement and Fundraising Officer who is also registered blind, said: "It is going to be an amazing event as all our teams race across the county on various forms of transport undertaking challenges on the way.
"The kick off is at 9am with a blessing from Bishop Mike and the finish is Cathedral Green at 6pm with trophy presentations by the Lord Mayor of Exeter and Lady Devon."
In 2024 Greatest Hits Radio spent time with Mandy Darling to understand the problems of getting around streets with a guide dog and issues caused by pavement parking and shop A-boards.
Greatest Hits Radio also reported on how blind or partially sighted people here in the West Country say they're increasingly feeling discriminated against by hotels and public transport.
Across the South West there's 223,000 with sight loss and of those 28,865 are registered as blind or partially sighted - with many saying they feel they're being forgotten
Mrs Darling added: "Tricia Sail,, who is visually impaired herself, who won series three of Race Across the World is participating with her own team. Our charity supports people with visual impairments, friends, families, carers - we do a lot of advice and guidance, counselling and we help with equipment."
Richard Pike, who joined the Devon in Sight team as Chief Executive Officer in March, said: "Devon is a rural community and transport links are challenging sometimes. Isolating and loneliness is often a really big issue for those with a visual impairment."
For more about the charity Devon In Sight and the Race Across Devon click here