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In celebration of my 40th Birthday on 21 August 2019, I have decided to hold a "virtual" tea party in conjunction with Moorfields Eye Charity. I will be holding the event at 11 am on Sunday, 8 September 2019. The idea could not be more simple.

The pace of modern living means for many of us that we don't ever take a moment to ourselves. This is something that can have a tremendous effect on our physical and mental health. With this in mind, I propose the following. At 11 am on Sunday 8 September, I would ask you to take that moment to yourself. Make yourself a cup of tea, and find somewhere quiet to sit for 30 minutes – somewhere you will not be disturbed. You can prepare a plate of biscuits, too, if you like. You can do so guilt-free in the comfort of knowing that you will be in the 'virtual' presence of me and others while also raising money for a very worthy cause. 

I would be very grateful if you could read below and donate what you can for this 'virtual' event. After all, every donation helps.

About Moorfields Eye Charity:

Moorfields Eye Charity is the primary fundraising and grant-making charity for Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. They provide targeted funds, above and beyond the responsibility of the NHS, to research cures and find treatments for their patients and millions of people affected by eye disease in the UK and around the world. Through support from donors, they can do the following:

• Help Moorfields Eye Hospital provide the best possible care for its patients
• Invest in state-of-the-art equipment
• Educate the researchers and clinicians of tomorrow
• Fund research to find better and more effective treatments for blinding diseases

About Ben Carrigan and why I want you to support this charity:

At approximately 16 years old, I was diagnosed with a congenital and degenerative eye disease called Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which the usually round cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This cone shape deflects light as it enters the eye on its way to the light-sensitive retina, causing distorted vision. Keratoconus is generally managed with the use of specialised gas-permeable contact lenses and/or surgical intervention. I have had and will continue to have both for the duration of my life.

Since my diagnosis at 16, I have spent much time stubbornly ignoring the fact that this condition can pose frightening limitations on one's quality of life. However, I have been very fortunate. Not everyone has that luxury. It is solely through the continuous support of leading specialists in the USA, UK and Ireland that I have been able to keep my sight and to live a normal life. It is not lost on me that without the support of Moorfields Eye Hospital, I would have long ago been categorised as clinically blind. By being at the forefront of research, education and patient care in the field, they have been able to support people like me in ways deemed impossible 30 years ago. My most recent appointment at the hospital, which I attend at least every six months, revealed that I have 20/20 vision.

I will be forever grateful for the work that they do at Moorfields Eye Hospital. It is terrifying to think where I may be without them. Within this context, we must bear in mind that they are a charity and a teaching hospital. Without our continued support, they could not do the work they do, and people like me would not be able to lead the lives that we lead.

With this in mind, please donate what you can to a very worthy cause – one that has always been and will continue to be very close to my heart (and eyes).

Thank you and sending you much love,

Ben xx

NB. 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.