• Macular disease affects more than 6.2 million people globally.
• Macular disease is the biggest cause of blindness in the UK.
• There is currently no cure for macular disease. 
• Treatment, when appropriate, involves monthly injections into one or both eyeballs!

I am one of the lucky ones. As of this writing only one eye is affected. However, I  can no longer see to read with this eye, and I dread that one day my 'good' eye may be affected.

Although I remain optimistic that I will continue to lead a normal life, I want to take the opportunity now, to raise some money towards research into a cure and better treatments, and to provide much needed help for those who have not been as fortunate as I.

In 2019 I won a 'Good for Age' place in the London Marathon, and together we raised more than £7,000.00 to help find a cure for macular disease in its many forms. 

As a result of my 2019 time I was again fortunate to get a  'Good for Age' for the 2020 race. Alas, along with two other marathons I had planned for the Spring of 2020, the London Marathon was of course called off (except for a few elite athletes) because of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Although we now have vaccines to guard against Covid, return to a normal life in 2021 is by no means certain. I have entered several races, including the 2021 London Marathon, but who knows what the future holds! For that reason, rather than centring my efforts around a specific event, I have decided to make my 2021 Macular Fundraiser a little more 'self' centred! So here's the plan:

In 2021 I will attempt to 'Run My Age', on average, every month. In May 2021 I will turn 74, so that means that I will have to run a total of 888 miles before the end of the year. 

I'm looking for 1,000 generous folks to donate £8.88 each to enable me to reach my goal of £8,880.00. Maybe you could talk nine friends or co-workers into chipping in just 88p each!

I know we are all constantly bombarded with requests to support numerous causes: children's charities, foreign aid, cancer in all its many forms, etc. They're all excellent causes and I do my best to donate to fund-raisers on a regular basis. The Macular Society is perhaps not one of the better known charities, something of a Cinderella cause, you might say. 

But anyone--young or old--can be affected by macular disease, so let me ask you which you would  prefer... 

• To risk losing your sight and/or face the prospect of monthly injections in your eye(s)? 
• Or will you please consider making a donation to my 2021 'Run My Age' appeal?

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast, and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving--they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the Macular Society. So it's the most efficient way to donate--saving time and cutting costs for the charity.