Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

UPDATE - JULY 2008

SLIGHT SET BACK - On 5th April, I ruptured my Achilles by falling down stairs - this has meant 3 months of plaster and inactivity!!!  I have now started back on my weight loss plan and am going to lose more weight. So I NEED YOUR SUPPORT MORE THAN EVER!

I have managed to LOSE 42 Lb's since February 2007.  (2 stone 4 pounds since starting 'Slimming World' in May 2007).  i have dropped 4 to 5 dress sizes and am feeling absolutely fantastic and full of confidence!

Thank YOU  so much for your support and your wonderful comments.  I hope you will keep watching my progress and be kind enough to encourage others to support me and RNIB too. 

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Why RNIB?

I am a registered blind woman.  I want to help RNIB because of the support which they have given in helping me live with sight loss. 

Why am I doing this - especially as I only have 15% vision?

I  have always struggled with weight loss but with the risks to my health growing as my weight increased, I decided to make a bigger effort to lose weight through joining Slimming World.  

If I developed Diabetes or cataracts, then i'll risk losing the REMAINING VISION I have and becoming TOTALLY BLIND. 

 My Risk of developing:

 ·       Type 2 diabetes - Is 80 times more as my Body-Mass Index (BMI) is OVER 35.

 ·       Cataracts             - Is DOUBLE.

My personal goal is to lose 60 Lbs by the 14th June 2008.

As I am taking 225 micrograms of thyroxin for a hypothyroid, this is going to continue to be very difficult for me.  Please give me a BOOST by sponsoring me and RNIB.

I have put an excerpt from the RNIB website below, which explains all those risks in a clear way. (WWW.RNIB.ORG.UK)

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME AND RNIB

Obesity and sight loss

RNIB's 'Feeling great, looking good' campaign report was launched on Wednesday 6 September 2006. The report shows a DIRECT LINK between obesity and some of the common eye conditions that cause blindness.

THESE ARE:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - obesity may increase the risk of developing dry AMD, the type of AMD that has been linked to oxidative damage. Dry AMD is likely to impede ability to carry out daily activities such as driving, reading a newspaper or watching television. Obesity also increases the speed of progression of AMD.

Diabetic retinopathy - obesity significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Someone with a body mass index (BMI) of over 35 is up to 80 times more likely to develop the condition than someone with a BMI of less than 22.

Cataracts - if obese, the risk of developing cataracts can be as high as double that of people who are not overweight. Although cataracts are largely treatable, one in four cases of sight loss in people over the age of 75 is due to cataracts.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please go to the links below to read the Feeling great, looking good report.  Find out how to look after something as precious as your eyesight.

'Feeling great, looking good' (PDF)http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_healthreportp.pdf

If you would like further information please call RNIB's Helpline on 0845 766 9999 or email campaign@rnib.org.uk

PLEASE VISIT THE RNIB WEBSITE AT: www.rnib.org.uk

                                  THANKS SO MUCH 

            OUR EYES DEPEND ON YOUR SUPPORT.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: RNIB will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.