Albion fans and the general public came together at The Hawthorns to celebrate the story of ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley, in a special screening of his biopic, ‘7 days.’
The 45-minute film, which took two years to make, tells the story of Dave’s seven marathons across the seven continents in seven days, which he completed in 2008.
In completing the ‘sevens,’ he became the first ever blind man to do the challenge and only the third person ever to run the 183.4 miles across the globe in just a week.
In front of a packed Richardson suite, the film also documented Dave’s childhood and the barriers he’s had to overcome throughout his life, despite that, Dave says it’s surreal to have the movie made about him.
“I feel very privileged and very proud but I’m shaking my head and pinching myself because I don’t believe it,” said Dave.
“It was painful, and it was pleasurable, but you look towards the positives when you finish and it’s fantastic to be at the Albion and to support The Albion Foundation as I do.
“I appreciate absolutely everything that they do for me, I could not do what I do without that kind of support, so I tip my hat to them all,” Dave said about his family, guides and supporters.
Producer, Nigel Davey who was attending the screening, said it was a challenge but a great two years.
“It wasn’t plain-sailing, but every time I said who the film was about, the doors just opened,” said Nigel.
“You don’t meet many people like Dave, so it’s been an honour to make the film,” he said.
Director of The Albion Foundation, Rob Lake, says Dave is everything the charity stands for.
“He’s a fantastic ambassador, he’s an inspiration to me personally and everybody at the Foundation,” said Rob.
“When people see on film what he did and what he has been through, it just tells you what an unbelievable character he is.
“It’s nice to be able to honour him and the film is a brilliant accolade for somebody who for me is one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met,” he said.
After the film, Dave took part in a question and answer session in which he fielded a variety of questions about his life and challenges to date.