MY BLIND AMBITION;  MARK'S MARATHON TASK FOR CHARITY

From People - 01/02/2004 (410 words)

JOE OLIVER

The Irish People is proud to salute a brave Irish man who used his personal tragedy to give the precious gift of sight to others.

When Mark Pollock lost his sight almost six years ago, he vowed not to sit at home feeling sorry for himself.

He went on to win a silver medal rowing for Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Games and completed his Masters at University College Dublin.

Then last September he accepted a colossal challenge - to run six marathons in seven days across China 's Gobi Desert .

Not only did he become the first blind runner to complete the amazing feat but he and his guide - fellow rower Nick Wolfe - finished 26th overall out of 42 competitors.

Now, braveheart Mark has learned that his awe-inspiring achievement raised pounds 16,000 in aid of Sight Savers International.

The money will be used to reverse blindness among children in impoverished regions across Africa .

Mark, from Holywood, Co Down, said: "A routine cataract operation, which is all that is required, costs very little to perform - so you can see how far pounds 16,000 will go.

"It will help hundreds to see instantly and that is my real reward."