Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. This year I’ll be doing a series of events to raise money for the Macular Society, starting with cycling coast to coast in April, running Great North Run in September and Chicago Marathon in October.

The Macular Society is a national charity which as well as funding vital research into macular (eye) diseases, provides advice and support for people who have a macular disease. 

Macular degeneration is a pain in the arse. Except it for the most part doesn't affect your arse, nor is it painful. What it actually is is a painless and permanent loss of someone's central vision. 

The macula is the located at the very centre of the retina at the back of your eye and is where all the light coming through your eye is focussed to a point. This area has the highest density of light-sensing cells, giving your eye it's resolution and is therefore prettttty important. As you're reading this, you're moving your eye so that the light from these words falls onto that macula area. Of course you have peripheral vision round the outside, but there's no resolution. Just try reading this whilst looking at a corner of the screen instead and you'll see what I mean. Pretty blurry, right?

So imagine if that macula area wasn't there anymore and all you had to rely on is your peripheral vision. No recognition of faces, no books, no TV, difficulty getting about. Pain in the flipping arse. No treatment really either. Super.

Macular degeneration however is the biggest cause of sight-loss in the UK. It mainly affects those over 60 and with an ageing population is only going to be on the increase.

 This charity aims not only to fund research into treatment into the disease itself but also supports those with the condition. This takes the form of counselling, support groups as well as helping to re-train sufferers to utilise and maximise their remaining peripheral vision. 

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 charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.