Blind man back behind wheel

Nov 20 2002 By Elgan Hearn, Holyhead And Anglesey Mail

A BLIND man from Anglesey took the wheel again to raising more than £600 for charity.

Alphonso Ojeda, 50, of the Treseifion Estate, Holyhead, took part in the Liverpool Blind Drive Challenge at Speke, where he drove a car with dual control to raise money for charity.

He was accompanied by his sighted friend Gwilym Jones, who did the challenge blindfolded to simulate the same conditions.

The event raised funds for national charity Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, which supplied Alphonso with Brownie, his faithful companion.

Alphonso said: "I'm very pleased to have raised so much money and I hope to do some further fundraising in the future.

" We drove dual-controlled cars with a qualified instructor.

His wife Trina, who watched both Alphonso and Gwilym drive, said: "Alphonso drove well, he kept the car quite steady, but Gwilym had problems - he was erratic, driving in huge circles because he was disoriented from the blindfold.

It took Alphonso three weeks to train with Brownie at the Guide Dog Training Centre in Leamington Spa.

There it only costs £1 a week for blind and partially sighted people to stay and train with their specially matched dogs.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association was founded in 1934 to train and provide guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services that meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people.

The association relies entirely on voluntary contributions and legacies from the public.

Alphonso now plans to auction abstract paintings he has created since losing his sight.