A BANGOR University student is taking on a double challenge next month, taking on the London Marathon in addition to his finals.

Final year Law student Joe Dunn, who grew up in Cardiff, is running the 26 miles to raise money for a charity close to his heart.

Joe’s aunt Charlotte lost her sight at the age of eight, and Joe’s grandmother Jennifer was so shocked by the lack of support available for her daughter that she founded LOOK, a charity dedicated to helping visually impaired young people to thrive.

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Today, 45-year-old Charlotte is Director of LOOK, and the charity’s flagship project has more than 250 visually impaired volunteer mentors working with visually-impaired young people.

Joe, 22, caught the family bug for intrepid travelling (his uncle is Jeremy Bowen, the veteran BBC war reporter and World News Editor).

In December, he cycled with a friend through the Western Saharan desert with everything strapped to his bicycle, continuing solo through Egypt and Israel to the border with Lebanon.

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“I have seen the positive side of visual impairment in my family,” said Joe.

“It has always been a story of victory rather than defeat.

“I have seen the enormous impact of the grandmother, Jennifer, and my aunt, Charlotte and their work at LOOK.

“Their love and dedication to helping the lives of many, and how this has developed their own character. It has been a huge chapter in the family story.

“I am running the London Marathon for LOOK because I would like to create another small victory and help build momentum and awareness.”