MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Argentina stops blind runner travelling to Falklands
Malcolm Carr and Dave Heeley (R) with Shona the dog<br>Photo BBC Argentine authorities have refused a charter flight permit to allow a blind marathon runner, --and his dog--, to fly to the Falklands to begin his seven marathons on seven continents in seven days quest aimed at raising funds for charity.
David Heeley has had to change his plans after the Argentine Government said if the charter company Aero Cardal insist on flying Heeley to the Islands they will in future be refused permission to fly to the Islands on medical emergency flights, confirmed Stanley Leisure Centre Manager Steve Dent. Heeley's extraordinary challenge is an effort to raise awareness of visual impairment around the globe and raise funds for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. As a result of the Argentine action the resulting expense will mean fewer funds for the charity. In the Falkland Islands, however, the authorities have no problem with Argentines traveling to Stanley to participate in the Standard Chartered Bank Marathon taking place next week (March 16). Standard Chartered Bank Executive Officer Rino Donosepoetro confirmed to Mercopressthat a number of Argentine runners would participate as well as runners from Austria and the UK. Although he could not confirm numbers at the time, it is believed five Argentine runners will be involved, one of whom is world class standard. The Argentine runners will join over 150 others competing for the 1000 pounds first prize. In the past the Argentine Government also used its influence to force a Falkland Islands cricket team out of a competition in Chile. By Lisa Johnston - SeAled PR - Stanley
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