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On 24th June 2021, we’ll be taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge in memory of our grandad whom we lost on 17th December 2020, by raising money for a charity very close to home, Macular Society. 

For many of us we don’t have to consider what it would be like to live without sight.. Ask yourself,  if you had to spend 1 day without sight how would that impact your day? Would it be easy for you to go about your daily tasks? Could you live on your pension for the rest of your life? 

For 1.5m people in the UK right now this isn’t a theoretical question, this is their reality. For our grandad, this was his life. 

Macular Dystrophy has affected 4 generations of our family and continues to, to this day. For this reason, we hope that by taking on this challenge and raising funds for the Macular Society we can raise awareness of this condition and support research because, as the charity says “no one should have their sight stolen from them”.

What is the National 3 Peaks Challenge?

The National 3 Peaks Challenge involves hiking up the highest peaks of England, Scotland and Wales which are: Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours (including travel time). 

This involves a walking distance of 23miles with a total ascent of 10,052ft and a total driving distance of 462miles. 

In memory of our grandad, Colin Toombs..

In his early 20’s our grandad, Colin Toombs, was diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy, a genetically inherited disease which deteriorates the central retina (macular) in the eye, causing loss of sight in those as young as 20. 

Our grandad and his brother suffered the affects of this condition for many years before they were given an official diagnosis - it was believed that this had been inherited from their mum however due to the lack of technology available this went undiagnosed until their 20’s. Having this condition meant our grandad was forced to retire from a young age, having to feed a family of 4 using his pension well before he should have had to. 

Despite the challenges this presented and the struggles he and our Nan faced, he never once complained and instead lived his life with the greatest of honour and integrity. He was by far the most positive man in our lives finding everything to be grateful for and taking nothing for granted. 

It’s in this spirit, that the two of us (Danielle and Courteney) have decided give him something to be proud of and take on the 3 Peaks Challenge... we’re sure he’ll be cracking plenty of jokes and laughing at us as we drag ourselves up these mountains at crazy hours. 

All about our chosen charity..

The Macular Society charity is an organisation who’s sole purpose is to beat macular disease.

 In1987, Elizabeth Thomas was suffering from macular disease and felt dismayed by the lack of support available. With that, she founded the Macular Disease Society to help other patients like her support each other. 

Since then, the Macular Society has continued to fund research into finding a cure (investing over £1m) and offering counselling services helping thousands of people struggling with sight loss to see a more hopeful future. 

In 2008, the charity helped fund a project that hit headlines by restoring the sight of 2 people with wet AMD using a stem cell based treatment. 

We know that our grandad was supportive of this charity and would have really appreciated the support available by the Macular Society when he was young and had been diagnosed.

If you’d like to find out more about the Macular Society please visit their website: https://www.macularsociety.org/ 

Please note: if we are unable to complete the challenge on the 24th June due to the COVID-19 pandemic we will reschedule to a more suitable date when the restrictions have been eased.

Thank you all for your support and donations... now let’s get hiking and beat Macular Disease!!