A HEREFORD man is anxiously waiting to hear if he has broken a World Record for running a mile blindfolded.

Ashley Winter completed the run in 10 minutes and 11 seconds, which he hopes should be enough for the record, but he has to wait a few weeks to have it confirmed.

The 37-year-old former army welfare officer did it to raise funds for the eye reserach charity Fight for Sight.

He was accompanied around Hereford running track by members of the Hereford Ghost Runners club.

Ashley has keratoconus – a rare and incurable eye condition which causes a cone-like bulge on the cornea, causing poor vision.

The event was organised in the run up to Rare Disease Day this Saturday (February 29) to raise money for vital eye research .

Ashley was diagnosed in 2010 but is determined not to let his impairment get in the way of his passion for adventure and he regularly takes part in challenge events to test his endurance and strength.

In September, he will climb Mount Toubkal - North Africa’s highest peak, also to raise money for Fight for Sight.

Ashley said: “Though I am not blind and have a driving licence, my eyes do give me a lot of discomfort and some days I can’t function. By doing these challenges I want to prove to myself and to others with sight impairment what can be done if you put your mind to it. By raising money for Fight for Sight I hope to help find the next breakthrough in treating sight loss conditions like keratoconus.”

Fundraising and Events Manager at Fight for Sight, Rachel Simkin said: “Ashley has been a fantastic ambassador for Fight for Sight and we are very grateful for his support. His efforts will help us to fund vital research into eye conditions like keratoconus and continue the fight against sight loss. Congratulations to Ashley and we look forward to continuing to follow his events and fundraising efforts throughout the year.”

Ashley has written his own book titled ‘Keratoconus and Me’ about overcoming adversity in the face of keratoconus, which he hopes will help others with the condition. All profits from the sale of the book go to Fight for Sight.

To donate to Ashley’s fundraising efforts, you can visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/AshleyWinterToubkal