I'm taking part in the London Marathon on 28th April. I'm raising awareness and money for Stargardt's Connected, which has been set up by Bhavna Tailor following her 11 year old son's diagnosis in 2015.

Bhavna's son, Ethan, is in my daughter's class at school and I have been so inspired by how he has coped and also the commitment and resolve of Bhavna to promote awareness and support for the disease. As I type, Stargardt's Connected is in the process of becoming a registered charity.

What is Stargardt's Disease?

Stargardt's Disease causes a blurring of vision, especially the ability to see fine detail. It is extremely rare, affecting just 1 in 10,000 people. The condition makes reading challenging, as well as impairing everyday tasks such as studying, working, driving and crossing a road safely.

There is currently no cure and because it is so rare, it's not known exactly how many people are affected or where they are. For this reason, Stargardt's Connected is raising money to undertake crucial research into this disease, to promote awareness. It is also hoped that a register can be set up so they know who is affected. Support networks have also been set up for people affected and their families.