Blind man takes to the tracks in race for charity (From The Bolton News)

Blind man takes to the tracks in race for charity

9:50pm Wednesday 13th August 2008

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FUNDRAISING hero Kesser Ahmed lost his sight in a car accident but it did not stop him hurtling around a race track at almost 150 mph to raise cash for charity.

Mr Ahmed, aged 26, who completed five laps at Daytona Raceway in Trafford Park in aid of blind charity, Henshaws, is now determined to take on a world record.

The car fanatic from Great Lever, has rebuilt his life following the accident five years ago and now wants to break the land speed record for a blind person set by Mike Newman in York in 2005.

Mr Ahmed, who lives with his wife Sakina and two-year-old son, Aayaan, in Division Street, said: “I think he did about 147 miles per hour and having done what I did yesterday, I would love a go at that.

“The go-karting was fantastic, a really nice experience for a good cause that does a lot for people like myself and the visually impaired but I could only be a passenger because it was going round a course.

“There was a driver sitting in front doing all the steering and pedals. It has given me a taste for driving and the land speed record is just in a straight line.”

He is now looking for corporate sponsorship to help him achieve his goal.

Mr Ahmed was left with damaged optic nerves after a car crash while on holiday with two friends in 2002, when he was aged just 20.

Mr Ahmed said: “I pray every day to thank god I am still alive. I could have been a lot worse but I hope one day medical research will find a cure.

“To suddenly lose my eyesight as a young man has been very hard but the support I have received has helped me through.”

He now divides his time between raising a family, studying IT at Bolton College and helping at his brother Mohamed’s garage in Tong Moor Road.

If you can help Mr Ahmed realise his landspeed dream call him on 07788 681005.

nick.lakeman@theboltonnews.co.uk

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