Tom Parnaby, now 19, was 18 when a firework incident on Bonfire Night resulted in him losing his sight and sustaining other injuries. The accident also injured a friend.
Reflecting on the event, Tom's mother, Danni, described it as a "horrific time" but praised her son's resilience. "Sometimes I still look at him and think, 'how has he done this?'" she said. "How has he not just crumbled? I am just in awe of him."
Less than a year after the accident, Tom is preparing to participate in the 2027 London Marathon, with his mother serving as his guide. The pair will be raising funds for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), a charity that provided Tom with essential mental health support shortly after his injury. "At the start of my accident I didn't really have much help because I did not know where to go," Tom explained. He highlighted that the RNIB provided him with eight weeks of therapy within a single week. Through their fundraising efforts, Tom aims to increase awareness that support services are available for individuals facing similar challenges.