In November last year my daughter Lottie was taken into hospital suffering from severe headaches and some loss of vision. After many tests she was thought to be suffering from one of the many forms of auto immune diseases, there are over 80. None of the test proved conclusive and Lottie's vision deteriorated until she was put on an aggressive case of intravenous steroids. Her vision improved and she was sent home with medication.

Unfortunately the steroids only put whatever it was that was attacking Lottie's Optic nerve into a short period of remission and on the 30th December she was readmitted on another course of intravenous steroids. However this time they did not work, in fact nothing seemed to work and over a period of the next 12 days Lottie lost her sight completely. I clearly remember Lottie saying to me "the worse thing is when you wake up Dad, you hope that it will be better but there is only darkness". It was heartbreaking, soul-destroying and probably the most traumatic and emotional episode that I have ever experienced in my life. In short I was broken, particularly when it looked like the autoimmune disease most likely to be the source of Lottie's vision loss was something called NMO, a very aggressive and nasty condition that normally renders the poor victim in a wheelchair within five years and continues to attack the central nervous system causing paralysis and a whole lot of other very unpleasant symptoms.

A plasma exchange was finally decided upon for the next stages of Lottie’s treatment and the results were instantaneous. After the first course of treatment some of her sight returned and after five she had a good portion of her sight back. 

We have been incredibly fortunate. Lottie still has some sight to return but she has returned to work and with the help of a modified screen will be able to continue almost as normal. There will follow more MRI's, more visual tests and more appointments with the various consultants but we have been so incredibly lucky, all the prayers have been answered and Lottie is well and truly on the road to recovery.

This is not only down to the wonders of modern medicine but also to Lottie's character, her strength, courage, determination and perseverance in the face of a desperate situation have been exemplary ( yes I am a bit biased) but she has also had fantastic support from her family, friends and very understanding work colleagues.

I feel overjoyed, over the moon and very lucky to have our Lottie back but though our story has a happy ending there are many that don't. Every hour someone goes blind in the UK.  Absolutely devastating for those it happens to and their families. It can come about in many ways, an accident, an illness or any one of a hundred ways but through Guide Dogs those affected can regain their confidence, independence, mobility and self esteem.

I would now like to "give something back" and as such I have decided to embark upon a series of fund raising activities this spring/summer;

On April 21st I will be attempting a trek from the coastal village of  La Rabita ( southern Spain) to Mulhacen ( highest mountain in mainland Spain 3482m) and back down to Trevelez ( highest village in Spain) 67.8k in under 24 hours. This ascent is the equivalent to 2 and half times the height of Ben Nevis.

https://www.gaiagps.com/public/qYw649i8sByp9tJvOgeI0In8/?layer=GaiaTopoRasterMeters

In May ( date to be confirmed) I shall be attempting a trip around the Sierra Nevada on the Sulayr route (300k) in a week ( a marathon every day).

http://www.andalucia.org/en/routes/sulayr-trail-gr-240/

The ultra trail has now been changed to the Sierra Nevada three peaks challenge. Mulhacen, Veleta and Alcazaba. The 3 highest peaks in the Sierra Nevada in a day.

My daughter Lottie will also be undertaking a swimming challenge. On July 15th she will be swimming 3 miles(194 lengths) within 2 and half hours.

Please, please give generously, I would dearly love to raise enough money to contribute towards changing a persons life and help this extremely worthy cause.

Nick Cranham