Why We Are Running:

We are lucky enough to run in and around Kent, a very beautiful part of the country. A run doesn’t pass us by where we don’t take a few strides to admire the beauty of the countryside around us. Moreover, we never give a moment’s thought that we will run fleet of foot and sure of step. Our eyesight is simply taken for granted. 

Sight enables you to live an active busy and independent life and without it, every day is a fight.

And one that Ruth’s dad know all too well.

‘ My dad lost the sight totally in one eye through ocular vein occlusion ten years ago and then three years later, he had another occlusion in his ‘good’ eye which destroyed most of the vision in that eye too. Since then he has been living with all the difficulties that impaired vision brings. 

He has been forced to give up many of his hobbies and the eyesight loss has had a huge impact on his ability to play sport. This was heartbreaking to see as he had always been a keen player, from football and cricket through to tennis and golf. All of this has been taken from him by the sight problem. Moreover, he is also unable to drive. This has had a huge impact on his independence and has been a great strain on my ‘reluctant’ driver mum! The impact of sight loss is felt not only by the person with the sight problems but also by the family as a whole.

Despite all the problems that his eyesight issues have caused, my dad has met each challenge with dignity and resilience. His good humour and gritty determination in the face of these challenges is an example to everyone.

This year has been especially tough as he has finally taken the step to register as partially sighted, a difficult choice for a fiercely independent man.

I am immensely proud of him and wanted to do something that might have a practical outcome, not just for my dad, but for others suffering with sight loss.’

Why Fight For Sight:

‘Fight for Sight’ is a great charity that is funding research into many types of sight loss from Childhood Blindness to Age- Related Macular Degeneration and Occular Vein Occlusion. Not only do they fund research but they also give practical help and advice to those who need it. Their work is vital and they are the largest charity in the UK dedicated to funding eye research.  

It will be a real motivation to know that for every one of those thirteen miles covered we will be a step nearer to finding answers to sight loss. We have been putting in the hours on the road, running regularly together every week, come rain or shine. It will be a great feeling to know that from those toe-freezing icy winter runs to the sun burnt shoulders of a summer run, every hour of practice will have helped us to complete this challenge. Every blister, bruised heel and black toenail will be of little consequence if we can hit our target and really make a difference. We hope this has opened your eyes to our reasons for running. If you are fortunate enough to see why we want to raise money for ‘Fight for Sight’ then please, help us to reach our target.

Ruth and Sue

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