On Sunday 27th April, I will be running the London Marathon – my first and probably last!

I would like to raise as much money as possible for the incredible charity, Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey.

Last September, the day after her 80th birthday, my mum Judy suffered some loss of vision. The treatment she received was too late and within five days she had gone completely blind in her right eye and had only 20% vision remaining in her left. Her condition, a consequence of having suffered Polymyalgia Rheumatica for 10 years, is called Giant Cell Arteritis and the blindness is irreversible.

Understandably these past months have been a distressing, confusing and frustrating time for her but she has coped amazingly. She has been brilliantly assisted in adapting to a new norm by the local charity Sight for Surrey, who provide highly specialist support for people with sensory loss in Surrey. The charity’s rehabilitation support has included help with admin, an assessment and update of her home security, advice on how to complete skills safely around the home and the provision of equipment and technology so she can be as independent as possible. Seven months since her diagnosis, Judy is cooking up a storm, completing the Times Crossword and enjoying walks with friends and Sight for Surrey volunteers, and theatre trips.

A large part of Sight for Surrey’s life-changing work depends on voluntary donations. Only me and one other person are running the London Marathon for the charity this year, so any donation will make a real difference. I hope to reach my fundraising target with your help, so that Sight for Surrey can continue their amazing work for people like my mum. Thank you in advance!

Love,

Sally x