Blind ex-airman to abseil down the Forth Bridge

Veteran also broke his back in parachute jump while serving at Leuchars

A blind veteran who snapped his spine in a parachute jump and became homeless is to abseil down the Forth Bridge for charity.

Garry Cowan broke his back when a parachute jump when wrong in 2003 while he was stationed at RAF Leuchars.

The former airman learned to walk again but in another cruel twist of fate lost his sight years later when he contracted chicken pox.

Without a job or home, the 36-yearold from St Andrews was sleeping on friends’ sofas until his local MP stepped in and helped find him a council house.

His life has since got back on track and Garry now trains with the GB Paralympic climbing team and has won major titles across the globe.

Abseiling 165 feet from the iconic bridge on June 10, he will raise funds for Fife Society for the Blind, one of several organisations which helped him get back on his feet. His target is £1,000.

Its chief executive Carl Hodson said: “Garry’s progress has been remarkable and we wish him all the best in his Forth Rail Bridge abseil next month.

“Over the last year, Garry hasn’t allowed his challenges to stop him leading life. He’s got such a fighting spirit and real determination to succeed, which is fantastic.”

The charity helped Garry lead a more independent life by embracing new technology for those with sight impairment, such as navigation apps on his phone, Amazon Echo and OptiGrill which allows him to cook safely.

To sponsor Garry visit his fundraising page.

Inspirational: Garry Cowan, centre, with Stephen Gethins MP, right, and Stuart Beveridge, access technology trainer at Fife Society for the Blind.