At the age of 23, Kelly Ganfield developed a rare autoimmune disorder that led to her losing her sight.

Seventeen years later, a tandem bike joint funded by Blesma and Blind Veterans UK is helping her regain her passion for cycling.

“I loved riding before I lost my sight,” said Kelly, who received the bike in January.

“Now I can be on the back while my wife, Sarah, steers. It has given me back some of my independence – it’s wonderful.”

Kelly has already set herself a challenge: to ride the equivalent of Land’s End to John O’Groats in 69 days with her wife, Sarah, her five-year-old daughter, Bethany, who has cerebral palsy, and her brother-in-law, Steve.