image source, Blind
Mr Elliger-Reeve’s walk has taken in some famous landmarks, including the 199 steps up to Whitby Abbey.
A blind hiker who wanted to „inspire others” by hiking the Cleveland Way has completed his trek.
Andrew Elliger-Reeve, from Beaford, East Yorkshire, said he was challenged to live „life to the fullest” after losing his sight in 2020.
He spent two weeks walking the 110 mile (177 km) route across North Yorkshire with the help of volunteers.
The 64-year-old, who raises money for Guide Dogs UK, said sight loss „doesn’t stop you from doing what you do”.
The Cleveland Way starts in Helmsley and winds its way through the North York Moors to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, where it ends in Filey as a coastal route past Whitby and Scarborough.
image source, Blind
The walk has also taken place in moorland, towns, villages and long stretches of the east coast
image source, Blind
It took him two weeks to complete the 110-mile route
Mr Elliger-Reeve, who will become the first blind person to walk the 79-mile (127km) Volts route in 2022, said of taking the Cleveland route: „I’m trying to prove it to myself and everyone else. [losing your sight] It doesn’t stop you from doing things”.
„Three and a half years ago I suddenly lost my sight,” he said.
„Poor me” can’t sit back.
„It’s a big world out there [and] You can still be a part of it.”
image source, Blind
The 64-year-old has been supported along the way by a team of volunteer guides
image source, Blind
The walk saw him pass some of North Yorkshire’s highest points
Teenager, who documented his exploits His Traveling Blind blogThe route has raised more than £6,000 for the Guide Dog charity.
She said it’s one of her favorite causes since losing her sight.
„As time went on, I realized I didn’t need a guide dog, but a lot of people do, so we decided to spend our time raising money for them,” she said.
A spokeswoman for the charity said the money raised would fund a working guide dog for more than five years.