Today the pupils of St Olave’s Prep School, York, were given an inspiring talk by the fastest blind man on the planet, Steve Cunningham.
Steve (www.blindvision.tv) lost his sight at the age of 12. Bullied at school, he was offered a life selling matches on street corners. Instead, Steve took another path, and has spent his life breaking any barrier that stands in his way.
A founder member and captain of the England Blind Football team, Steve also held the 100m World Junior Blind Sprint title and was a member of both the UK Athletics and England Blind Cricket teams.
He had a dream to drive fast cars and boats, so took to the wheel and powered to a new world blind land speed record (1999). He then set new onshore and offshore powerboat records (2000).
Holding records on land and sea, Steve went for the hat-trick and took to the air. In 2004, the world’s media followed him on his journey to become the world’s first blind pilot, as he flew around the UK.
“Breaking world records is easy compared to breaking the barriers we set ourselves, and I am delighted to be spending time inspiring the young minds at St Olave’s,” says Steve.