Hi Everyone,

I am running this year’s London Marathon on Sunday 23rd April to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind. 

As many of you know, I’m no runner - let alone a marathon runner! But having seen first-hand the devastating effect that sight loss has and the difference a guide dog has made for my cousin and his family, it has inspired me to help raise some much-needed funds.

So, a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed so far! 

With your support, we can help to train another puppy to become an incredible guide dog, giving independence back to the many people in the UK suffering with sight loss.

If you can leave me a song suggestion with your donation - I'll add it to my playlist for my long runs!!

Please take a few minutes to read Mark and Dougal’s story.

Marks Story:

I have a rare eye condition - Stargardt Macular Dystrophy, which was first diagnosed 16 years ago. 

My life changed in 2007, my daughter was born in the January & two weeks later I was diagnosed with the eye condition. 

Within 18 months I had gone from 20/20 vision - to being registered as legally blind. Not being able to drive meant my job was untenable.

Losing your eyesight is something you just can’t ever imagine. But when it does happen, it turns your world upside down not only affecting your life but those of your family, friends and work colleagues.

Every-day simple tasks become impossible, undignified, challenging and frustrating. Imagine walking into a restaurant and not being able to read the menu, not being able to recognise a friend in a shop who’s waving to you, being unable to see your baby daughter change as she grows up.

Staying at home becomes the easiest and safest option as you no longer feel safe and have the confidence to walk down the pavement or cross the road.

I finally admitted to myself that I needed some help, and after a chat with the family, we decided to contact Guide Dogs. 

The support I received during the application process alone made a huge difference. While waiting for a guide dog, I received long cane training which helped me recover my independence and taught me numerous skills to enable me to get out and about safely despite my loss of vision. I am hugely grateful to the Berkshire Guide Dogs team who helped me to accept my sight loss and who gave me the skills and confidence to get out and about again and live my life without
limits.

In 2018 I was matched to my guide dog Dougal, a yellow Labrador/retriever cross with fox red ears. We bonded immediately! 

Dougal has made an incredible difference to my life. Since qualifying he has enabled me to travel across the country to visit friends and family and accompanied me to various fundraising events for Guide Dogs as a speaker. He has even helped me navigate the streets of London, trains and buses which was unimaginable before. My sight loss has been life changing, but so has Dougal!

So please get behind Emily on her epic challenge of undertaking the London Marathon. The dedication needed for her training and the effort required to get through the pain barrier and get over that finish line cannot be underestimated. 

Every footstep Emily makes and every penny she raises goes a long way to giving a life back to someone like me.

Go on Em! We’re all behind you.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Mark and Dougal