PC blinded by gunman leads 'goodwill walk'

More than 500 people braved pouring rain to support the policeman blinded by gunman Raoul Moat in a sponsored walk for charity yesterday.

Crowds - including Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne - joined Pc David Rathband in the blindfold "goodwill walk" to raise money for emergency services staff injured on duty.

PC Rathband, 42, lost the sight in both eyes when he was shot in the face by fugitive gunman Moat as he sat unarmed in a Northumbria Police patrol car on an A1 roundabout on 4 July.

Following the walk, the PC stood on a chair to speak those gathered in Blyth Rugby and Cricket club, where he used to play cricket before his injury.

He said: "This is an emotional moment for me, because I did not think I was going to survive. But with the help and support of my family and all of you lot I'm stood here today, on a rather flimsy chair. If Raoul Moat could see me now, he would not be laughing."