AN OTLEY man has completed an awareness-raising walk to Leeds - without the aid of his eyes.

Phil Taylor, a volunteer fundraiser for Guide Dogs, was blindfolded for the entire ten mile challenge on Saturday, April 1.

Phil took on the walk, from Otley's Market Square to Leeds City Square, to draw attention to the daily hurdles people with sight loss have to overcome.

He was accompanied by Community Fundraiser for Guide Dogs Leeds Charlotte Walton, who acted as his eyes and guide.

The pair were also joined by well-wishers along the way, and completed the trek in just over five hours.

Phil said: "It was totally disorientating to walk blindfolded.

"The noise of the traffic seemed deafening and the crowds of people when we reached the city centre of Leeds made me feel very vulnerable, despite Charlotte’s expert guiding.

"I also encountered obstacles that I had never given much thought to before like wheelie bins, cafe signs, uneven pavement surfaces and cars being parked half on pavements.

"Of course these obstacles are what visually impaired people have to contend with every day."

The trek has also raised money for the charity, and can still be supported at justgiving.com/guidedogfundraisers .

He added: "This has definitely made me want to do more fundraising for Guide Dogs."

Charlotte, meanwhile, was full of praise for his efforts and the public support the pair received during the challenge.

She said: "It was a great thing that Phil did and we are hugely grateful to him for choosing to fundraise for Guide Dogs in this way.

"It was a privilege to guide him safely to Leeds, and we thank all the people who joined us on the way."

Phil, joined by Zoe Purshouse and Mark Hara, has several further tough fundraising events lined up this year for the charity.

They include a 24 mile Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on June 11 and a 100 km in 24 Hours Extreme Challenge on June 17.

On his justgiving page he says: "Guide Dogs are real life changers to blind / visually impaired people but these beautiful dogs do not come cheap.

"A Guide Dog costs approximately £48,500 throughout its lifetime, none of which is funded by the Government; all costs are funded by donations and fundraising events such

as this one."

For more details on how to raise funds for Guide Dogs send and e-mail to charlotte.walton@guidedogs.org.uk or visit guidedogs.org.uk .