TRIATHLON: Not content with being the best blind triathlete in the world, gold medallist Graham Kiff has inspired 20 other runners to join him in the London Triathlon to raise money for charity.

The 40-year-old former RAF mechanic, from The Springs in Witney, who is registered blind, won the world championships in Vancouver, Canada, earlier this month.

The father-of-four has a genetic degenerative blindness which has affected him since 1999, but not deterred his efforts at the triathlon.

His next task is the London Triathlon on August 9, when he will be one of 21 visually impaired athletes competing in a team called Project Viper, hoping to raise £10,000 for blind charities.

Kiff said: "I was hoping by winning out there it would encourage more people to take it up, but to get 21 people already for London is amazing."

The visually impaired athletes will be from all over the country and taking part alongside 10,000 other able-bodied triathletes.

"Project Viper started off as a fundraising idea, but we have people actively taking part and hopefully more will be wanting to have a go.

"We are trying to get more partially sighted people up and being active. They don't have to do the triathlon it could be other sports or even get out and about more."

The partially sighted triathletes are bound to a guide during the Olympic distance of 1.5km swim, a 40km bike ride and 10km run.

Kiff trains six days a week at Windrush Leisure centre with his guide Dennis Murphy, also of Witney.

West Oxfordshire Council last week handed over a £250 Sports Achievement Award for for his efforts.

To sponsor the runners log on to www.charitiestrust.org.