Inspirational blind MDX graduate completes London Marathon

Deepika Nallathambi has raised nearly £3,000 for the RNIB through her fundraising efforts

A determined and inspirational graduate from Middlesex University who is blind completed the London Marathon at the weekend and has already smashed her fundraising target.

Deepika Nallathambi, 41, who completed her PhD in Creative Writing in March, described the race on Sunday as an ‘emotional rollercoaster’ but persisted and got through the iconic 26.2 mile route.

These incredible efforts have paid off because Deepika has already raised more than £2,800 for her chosen charity the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) when her initial target was £2,000.

Deepika was running alongside a former Middlesex University academic, Professor Christine Broughan, who herself is a world-class athlete and was a member of Team GB in Triathlon.

It was Christine who first spotted Deepika running around a car park at the Hendon campus and then worked with the University’s Sport and Recreation Service to create a training regime for Deepika and make sure she could use fitness facilities on campus. From there Deepika’s marathon journey began and she has also been taking part in weekly Parkrun events at Sunnyhill Park in Hendon with the help of organisers.

After the race Deepika described her emotions: “Christine and I started the race quite strongly.

“The cheers from the spectators and the whole atmosphere were truly amazing. At mile 17.5 however, I needed medical attention due to cramps in both legs. After a quick massage from the physiotherapist, we continued, but had to slow down to a fast walk.

“From mile 20 onwards, I was hurting physically and mentally. We were going to finish, but I was desperate for some sort of pick-me-up. At mile 21, miraculously, Ben Underwood from the Fitness Pod and his wife Ella were there. I was super-glad to see them, and we met more friends from then on till the finish.

“Seeing all of them boosted my spirits. Christine too kept speaking words of encouragement and we finally finished the race. All in all, it was an emotional roller-coaster, but the dominant emotions were joy and relief. A huge thank you to Christine, who was a rock through it all. A big thank you to all my friends and supporters as well. And of course, a giant thank you to the Fitness Pod team.”

“Seeing Deepika cross the finish line at the London Marathon filled us with pride and admiration. She is truly a force of nature, with an incredible can-do attitude that inspires everyone around her. She has shown us all what true determination looks like and we are proud to have been part of her journey.”

Ben Underwood, Sports Operations Manager at Middlesex University’s Sport and Recreation Service

Deepika hails from the city of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. She has benefited greatly from the RNIB’s library of research books for visually impaired people, accessed through Middlesex.

On the advice of the charity, Deepika has undergone replacement Luxturna gene therapy at Moorfield’s Eye Hospital, which over time will help to improve her vision in her left eye.

To support Deepika’s charity appeal visit this fundraising page.

Find out more about Creative Media and Writing at Middlesex University.