A NORTH Yorkshire mum will tackle one of the nation's biggest running races blindfolded to raise awareness for children with sight loss.
Sarah Clougher, from Thirsk, will run the Great North Run on September 13 in honour of her one-year-old daughter Indiana, who was diagnosed with a vision impairment the day after she was born.
She will complete the 13.1-mile course blindfolded - guided by her friend Lucy- and will be raising money for Guide Dogs as a thanks for their ongoing support.
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Sarah said: "We’ve decided to do the Great North Run blindfolded with Lucy tethering me to raise as much awareness as possible for children with a vision impairment.
"We are not runners, but we will give this our all. It’s going to be a huge challenge for me, especially being blindfolded, but I’m so excited to do it."
Indiana, who will soon turn two, was born with bilateral congenital cataracts - a diagnosis that Sarah said "completely turned their world upside down."
Sarah with her daughter Indiana
(Image: Provided)
She said: "We were sent straight to the eye clinic, where they told us Indiana had cataracts in both eyes that were blocking her vision."
Since then, Indiana has undergone four surgeries with doctors later discovering a rare genetic mutation was responsible for her cataracts, as well as nystagmus and microphthalmia. She may also develop glaucoma in the future.
Sarah said: "For her first 12 weeks, we were at the hospital three or four times a week. It was all so intense. We didn’t get a minute to digest it all. It was quite a depressing time, with so much to deal with."
Sarah, Indiana. and Lucy
(Image: Provided)
Looking for support, she reached out to Guide Dogs and once Indiana turned six months old, she began attending the charity’s My Time to Play sessions.
Sarah said: "We absolutely love the My Time to Play sessions. When we first started going, Indiana was very shy. She used to be quite wary of different textures, and she was terrified of people.
"Indiana’s gotten so much exposure from the group, and now she’s into everything, and she’s so social. She loves her touchy-feely books and her food. She’s my little wild child now."
Sarah and Lucy running
(Image: Provided)
Sarah said Guide Dogs has provided ongoing help through sensory resources, light therapy, and specialist advice - sharing that the support they had been provided was 'incredible'.
She added: "They really are Indie’s biggest supporters and will continue to provide support and advice for the foreseeable future.
“All the money we raise will be given back to Guide Dogs for the support they give to children and young people with sight loss. Their work really is life changing and I can’t thank them enough.”
Lucy and Sarah
(Image: Provided)
Sarah has already raised more than £730 for Guide Dogs, surpassing her initial £500 goal.
Supporters can donate to her fundraising challenge at ajbellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/sarah-clougher