Inspirational nonagenarian Sir Christopher Ball, Brookes Honorary Fellow, to run for Vision for GoOD

Sir Christopher is gearing up for a special 10k run/walk on 17 May to support ten charities, and one of them is the Oxford Brookes Vision for GoOD research fund.

At the fantastic age of 90, only a month after his big birthday, Brookes Honorary Fellow Sir Christopher will be taking on the beautiful scenery of Brathay in Cumbria. He has set himself the goal of raising £1,000 for every kilometre he completes and has selected 10 good causes, close to his and his wife, Wendy’s, heart including the Oxford Brookes Vision for GoOD research fund.

Vision for GoOD is all about helping to advance genetic diagnosis and care for individuals born with eye anomalies and their families. Donations to the Vision for GoOD Fund support the power of genetic research to help families affected by these disorders and to save sight.

To help Sir Christopher Ball reach his goal, please support the Vision for GoOD fund by donating via our secure form.

Sir Christopher has got even more amazing plans for the future, saying, "If all goes well, I'm going to keep up my training for at least the next ten years and do a 15k run for my 95th birthday in 2030, and then a 20k when I turn the big 100 in 2035!".

Born in 1935, Sir Christopher has led a life dedicated to learning, leadership, and helping others, ever since his time in the Parachute Regiment. Since retiring in 2005, he has been busy writing poetry (as John Elinger), running (he has done 22 marathons, and even started the tough "10in10 Challenge"), and doing charity work in education, health, and the arts.

He is a philanthropist and expert fundraiser, and has trained nearly a hundred charities in the skills of effective fundraising. These upcoming runs in 2025, 2030, and 2035 are going to be his final big charity challenges, which makes them even more special, on top of the wonderful gifts he and Wendy have already promised to many charities in their wills, including Oxford Brookes.