Blind Courage: Lorin & Dean’s 4000km Cycling Challenge
Photo: Brothers Lorin, left, and Dean Nicholson, cycled across Australia to raise funds for Vision Australia.
Raised: $26,153.95
Lorin and Dean Nicholson were given a police escort and a hero's welcome as they cycled into Sydney over the long weekend in April, ending their four week marathon.
The brothers, who are both legally blind, have completed a gruelling 4,000 kilometre trek on their tandem pushbikes across Australia. They endured all types of weather and terrain as well as a locust plague.
Their "Blind Challenge" aims to raise $300,000 for Vision Australia - $1 for every person who is blind or has low vision in Australia. They also hope to create awareness of the significant abilities of people who are blind or have low vision.
The Brisbane-based siblings departed from Perth on 29 March 2010. They crossedd Australia’s harshest terrain, the Nullabor desert and arrived in Sydney a month later.
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Optus Country, Virgin Blue Airlines, Cannondale Cycles, Bowdens Group, Water & Carbon, Kea Campers and ISP Media are proud sponsors of the expedition 'Blind Courage'.
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Your gift today will go a long way towards supporting people like Dean and Lorin to be able to live the lives they choose.
With ongoing community support, Vision Australia will continue to ensure that children who are blind or have low vision do not struggle later in life to achieve their social, educational and career goals.
Latest donations
Thank you to everyone who have generously donated so far. Any amount is appreciated and will go a long way to providing services to the 300,000 people who are blind or have low vision in Australia.
| Supporters | Donation Amount |
|---|---|
| Lions Club of Tamworth Peel Valley Inc | $500.00 |
| Mildura Rural City Council | $500.00 |
| Lesmurdie Lions Club Inc | $100.00 |
| Perth Lions Eye Institute Lions Club Inc | $150.00 |
| Ocean Reef Lions Club Inc | $100.00 |
| Geraldton Lions Club Inc | $200.00 |
| Newman Lions Club Inc | $200.00 |
| Scarborough Lions Club Inc | $500.00 |
| Richard Rose | $20.00 |
| Anna Rose | $30.00 |
| Casino Vision Australia Client Support Group | $200.00 |
| Hay Public School | $50.00 |
| Wendy Chapman | $100.00 |
| Hay Public School | $50.00 |
| Nancy Croucher | $40.00 |
| Anonymous | $20.00 |
| Hemmant State School | $51.70 |
| Russel and Janet Forbes | $50.00 |
| Annie Lakeman | $30.00 |
| Warwick Central State School | $218.00 |
| Urmilla Daya | $200.00 |
| Blacktown RSL Club | $500.00 |
| Keng Kee | $30.00 |
| Anonymous | $100.00 |
| Russell Disbrey | $300.00 |
| S Craig | $30.00 |
| Gary Humphries | $100.00 |
| Anonymous donations collected during ride | $1997.00 |
| Cunderdin District High School | $50.00 |
| Ballajura Lions Club | $150.00 |
| Catherine Garvan | $100.00 |
| Laureen Brand | $40.00 |
| Joan Fanning | $500.00 |
| Goulburn Soldiers Club | $200.00 |
| Greg Gearin | $300.00 |
More about the Nicholson brothers and Vision Australia
The Nicholson brothers were born with retinitis pigmentosa, less than 10 per cent sight, and have been legally blind their entire lives. But they have never let their blindness hold them back.
“We are two brothers who, despite being blind, want to live normal lives and enjoy all the wonderful experiences that this life has to offer," Dean said.
“We are both educated, with successful careers, and more importantly, both happily married – each with four children.”
Lorin agreed, saying none of this had been achieved on their own.
“We have had tremendous help and encouragement from our families, friends and specialist organisations like Vision Australia,” Lorin said.
When they were younger the boys received school support from the Royal Blind Society (now Vision Australia) – and later, careers advice.
“Itinerant teachers would visit us in the classrooms and we would also enjoy period trips to the Sydney head office of RBS,” Lorin said.
“At that time, they supplied large-print textbooks and organised equipment such as a magnifier for studying and later, a CCTV. It was one of the earliest models. I still have it - it should be put in a museum! The technology has changed dramatically over the last 20 years.”
The brothers still use Vision Australia’s Information Library Service and continue to receive specialist equipment advice from the organisation.
Dean and Lorin still like to drop in to Vision Australia to catch up with what’s new.
“I am always looking for ways to give back and support other people who are blind or have low vision, so they are able to live the best life they can,” Lorin said.
“This ride will be a dream come true for my brother and I and it will bring us a great sense of accomplishment. But it means much more to us than that.”
A report by Vision Australia has revealed that more than 63 per cent of Australians who are blind and want to work are unable to find meaningful employment.
“Dean and I want to challenge the public’s perception and encourage employers to give a fair go to people who are blind or have low vision. We want to show the nation that anything is possible when you put your mind to it,” Lorin said.