AN inspirational runner who was blinded as a result of a serious car accident eight years ago is preparing to run his biggest race so far at the Chippenham Half Marathon this weekend.

Ryan Simões-Hibberd joined the Chippenham Harriers two years ago in a bid to get back to full fitness following a car accident which killed his friend Jennifer and left him blind in July 2009.

Now eight years on and hundreds of park runs and gym visits later, the 28-year-old will be taking to the streets of Chippenham alongside his teammates to help raise funds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

“I appreciate I am the lucky one,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance I wouldn’t be here today. Originally I wanted to raise £300 but it surpassed that last weekend and since then it has gone up and up and up and now it’s reached over £700.

“Running is such a big challenge for me and I found it quite difficult at first to do the 5km park runs but I’ve built it up slowly and now I will face the half marathon.

“I have had to put a lot of trust into those guiding me and to overcome that initial nervousness but I can run now and I have overcome it and I think I will continue to run until I can’t anymore.”

Twelve members of the Harriers got behind the 28-year-old to help him prepare for the half marathon, which takes place on Sunday starting on Bristol Road at 9.30am.

Chris Oakley, the club’s chairman and Mr Simões-Hibberd’s guide runner, said: “It has been absolutely amazing to seeing him starting out to entering races and completing 10ks.

“I cannot imagine what it would be to run like that and he is a true inspiration and a brilliant young man.

“He asked me to be his guide runner but it’s not about me; it’s his race and it is my privilege to help him.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ryans-h.