Having both worked for many years in an Ophthalmology (eye) Department; Nada as an eye surgeon in training and Talia as an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO). We have both seen first-hand how visual impairment can be detrimental to every aspect of a person’s quality-of-life. We have also seen how help and support for those with visual impairment- whether emotional or practical- can immeasurably improve the quality of everyday life and help reinstate once lost independence. The RNIB is a charity that focuses on just that - it
is for this reason that this cause is very close to both our hearts. We hope, with your help, to challenge ourselves and fundraise as much as we can for our patients – and for all the people out there with similar difficulties. Below is a little about us! (If you’re interested!)

Challenge: To run a marathon EACH over the month of May (without dying)! Eek!

Background: Talia: Having been remote-working for over a year and multi-tasking, by home schooling 2 children at the same time, I wasn’t really having much me time. The same four walls become my work place as well as family time and with nowhere to escape to, with shielding myself due to Covid, I needed a focus. After being advised due to my health to stop my personal training which was keeping me going through the pandemic I needed to do something. I had seen the app Couch to 5K and thought this would be a start! However, 5 months after I had downloaded it to my phone, all that time, I still hadn’t brought myself to attempt it! The thought was there but the motivation just wasn’t. After a long telephone conversation (2 hours hehe!) catching up with Nada and discussing how we both were plodding along, we realised we both wanted to change and feel better ourselves and the talking point came to fitness. I informed Nada of the app and she thought this would be a great idea to do together! Within minutes she was downloading it and we become buddies to drive, encourage and motivate one another. We both were coming from a couch to become the next Sally Gunnell and Linford Christie, although for those that are after there time maybe Mo Farah and Usain Bolt haha! With being in a Lockdown we couldn’t actually do this together so we set a date, our goals and we have been sending photos to one another before and after the run and have currently achieved up to week 6! So, with couch to 5k coming to an end we had already been looking for the next challenge to keep on track and not fall back to our old ways. The RNIB Marathon Mates came up at the right time and with both wanting to take on our next challenge and with working in the Visual Impairment field we signed up to participate.  Overall carrying on as a team for Marathon Mates means we can continue to motivate one another and it has certainly helped with our well-being too. I would not have done this without NADA so huge thanks, I truly can’t thank you for all the support and encouragement and taking this on with me

Nada: Like many doctors, during this pandemic, I was taken out of my comfort zone of the eye departments and deployed to the chilling COVID wards. During this period I saw more death and sadness than I had in all my career as a doctor. And like many healthcare professionals in the wake of this pandemic, I found myself suffering with PTSD, which manifested itself as a very dark depression. Six months into my struggles with my mental health, I found that I had gained 2.5 stone in weight and my fitness had taken a huge dive! Talia mentioned to me that she too was struggling to get off the couch and so we embarked on this ‘Couch to 5K’ journey, apprehensively, excitedly but most definitely TOGETHER! Over these weeks Talia has been like my own personal cheerleader – I seriously could not have done it without her encouraging messages, votes of support and hilarious photos of her fresh red face showing me that even though we were struggling we were undeniably fighting through this together! The regular exercise, as hard as it was to get myself out of the house, was a part of my mental health recovery. I realised that the whole journey might seem tough but by just putting one foot in front of the other, and with the support of friends, I can find the end of this tunnel. And now to continue this journey with my cheerleader buddy T- we hope to run a marathon in May to help the lives of those who might be struggling in other ways.

Please Sponsor us to support the RNIB as every day 250 people are told the life-changing news that they're losing their sight. We want to ensure no one faces this diagnosis alone, and that people with sight loss can live independently in a world with no barriers in the way of the life they want to lead.Our Sight Loss Advisors can provide emotional and practical support to someone who is coming to terms with their sight loss. Your fundraising could help us ensure no call to the RNIB Helpline goes unanswered, and that no one feels alone during this difficult time.