In my late twenties I was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a rare degenerative eye condition that results in the loss of central vision, which in my case happened very quickly. There  are currently no treatments, but my remaining peripheral vision allows me to lead a relatively normal day-to-day life. Sight loss knocks your confidence, I miss being able to drive, and I’d love to be able to see my children’s faces across a playground rather than only when they’re stood right next to me. But living with this condition makes me so grateful for the vision I do have and the freedoms it gives me. Of course there are so many people with sight loss who are not so fortunate and that is why I am running the London Marathon and raising money for the Royal National  Institute of Blind People. I want to show that sight loss doesn’t need to stop you achieving your goals in life (as long as I can find the start line!) and hopefully at the same time help support the work of the RNIB.

Every day, 250 people in the UK start losing their sight. Too many still face isolation and depression, unable to achieve their potential in a world that blocks their way. RNIB won’t stop until every last psychological and physical barrier has gone for good. With your help, RNIB can be there when people need them most, support independent living, create an inclusive society and prevent avoidable sight loss. Every pound you donate is helping create a future where sight loss is no longer a barrier. £20 could help someone feel more confident about living with sight loss, with personalised support from our expert Sight Loss Advice Service. £47 could help someone feel more positive about the future after losing their sight, through a one-to-one phone or online counselling session. £2,500 could make a new adult book available in our Talking Books library, enabling a person with sight loss to enjoy the latest best seller. Thank you for your support!