Flying Blind: Where There's A Will There's A Way

By Londonist Last edited 202 months ago
Flying Blind: Where There's A Will There's A Way
mileshbpilot020507.jpg

The adventurer and motivational speaker Miles Hilton-Barber ended his magnificent 13,000-mile microlight flight to Sydney on Monday. Hilton-Barber, who has been blind for over 25 years, started his journey on March 7 from south London's Biggin Hill airport and flew his microlight Quick GT450 to Sydney in 55 days. On board was also his co-pilot Storm Smith [cool name - Londonist] with whom Hilton-Barber flew the English Channel and who holds the British high-altitude record.

As is written in Hilton-Barber’s blog, this journey was dedicated ”to raising at least £1 million towards restoration of sight to blind people in developing world today through Standard Chartered Bank’s inspired 'Seeing is Believing' programme.” Even though all donations will be doubled by his bank sponsor, the target is sadly still far away. According to the Seeing is Believing organisation’s website, the amount that Hilton-Barber had managed to raise by 3pm today was only about $61,322.30 (£30,649.80). According to his blog, Hilton-Barber will be speaking at corporate events that are hosted by the bank so let's hope that the target will be reached with the help of corporate generosity.

If you want to take a look at the current fundraising status, support the cause, make a difference, donate some money etc., you can do so here.

By Katya Nykänen

Image taken from misterbisson’s Flickr photostream, from whom among other things we also learned that Miles's call-sign is Batman, “because I am blind as a bat”. Genius!

Last Updated 02 May 2007