Ex-ref’s bike marathon for guide dog charity
AFORMER rugby referee who lost his sight overnight has completed a 14-hour rugbythemed challenge.
Christian Hyde pedalled a tandem from Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, to Rodney Parade in Newport, visiting Swansea’s Liberty Stadium and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff en route, on Saturday.
He undertook the 80-mile challenge with the help of his friend Andrew Price-Stephens, who piloted the tandem. The pair braved 30˚C heat to raise £1,500 for Guide Dogs Cymru.
Christian, 44, said: “I played rugby from age eight and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a teenager. It didn’t stop me becoming a referee, but in 2004 I lost my sight overnight due to a diabetic seizure. I had to pack in my job as a sales assistant and give up refereeing. Some sight returned but then gradually deteriorated. I underwent a kidney transplant, with my father as the donor.”
Christian, from Abercarn, began training to use a long cane but found it difficult and contacted Guide Dogs.
“I was introduced to Sasha, a black labrador retriever who became my first guide dog in January 2009,” he said. “She gave me the strength, confidence and the ability to regain my independence. I could live in my own apartment, use public transport and visit leisure and sporting venues without the need of a sighted guide.
“Sasha also saved my life by sensing
the onset of a serious hypoglycaemic episode while I was asleep. She woke me up, allowing me to take corrective action.”
Despite two failed pancreas transplants, Christian went on to form a dynamic partnership with Sasha.
“We’ve achieved many things together. We attended 99 Dragons fixtures home and away. Sasha became a fans’ favourite and was widely recognised by players and staff.”
Sasha retired in 2016 and Christian qualified with a new guide dog, yellow labrador retriever Rossi. Both dogs were there at the start and finish of their owner’s tandem challenge.
“I needed something to challenge me both mentally and physically,” said Christian. “As a rugby fan, I decided on a tandem cycle ride that would take in all four regions in a day. I hadn’t been on a bike for 16 years, so it was scary at first, but I’m used to putting my trust in a dog, so doing the same with Andrew was not an issue.
“I’m also planning a ‘bums on seats’ challenge in October, when I will attempt to sit on all the seats at Rodney Parade in one day – that’s nearly 5,000.
“I’m hoping to raise £5,000 so I can name a guide dog puppy Sasha in honour of my retired guide dog. She transformed my life.”
■ To sponsor Christian, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/c-hyde1