"We want to do all we can to help those living with macular conditions"

Gazing across glaciers and absorbing the stunning views of vistas, valleys and snow-capped peaks of the Fann Mountains really hit home for Richard, who had travelled thousands of miles to show his support for people living with macular disease.

His fundraising challenge, an off-grid 10-day trek across the Central Asia region alongside his wife, was a stark reminder of the value of sight, as he raised more than £3,000 for the Macular Society.

Richard, CEO of specialist ophthalmology services provider SpaMedica, said: “Sight is so important and there's a lot of research that says it is the one of your senses that most people would value the highest. So, the more we can do to support those who are affected by macular conditions, improve their outcomes, to prevent the disease, or to cure it in time, whatever it may be, I think is really important.

“I was wearing my yellow Macular Society t-shirt and talking about what I was doing with real pride. I knew the money I was raising, why I was there, was doing good. When you're raising the funds for an organisation like the Macular Society, I think you can be really assured of the positive contribution every pound is making,” he said.

Experiencing different ways of life

Richard joined a group of fellow travellers for the trek, who were on the move for up to eight hours a day, while navigating altitude changes.

Richard said: “We were camping, washing in rivers, living off basic facilities, and it was a good opportunity to meet new people and see completely different ways of life. We saw people who live on the mountains, working as farmers and shepherds. They were just so friendly, so welcoming and keen to show you how and where they lived. There is a lot of pride there, which was really great to see.”

Family's firsthand experience of AMD

Even though Richard and his wife were thousands of miles from home, it was also a poignant fundraiser as Richard’s father-in-law Bill, 83, was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) 30 years ago.

Richard, 49, said: “He's lived with that condition for a substantial part of his life. I see patients, but I can also see firsthand how these kinds of conditions can really affect people I know. I'm pleased Bill still lives an active and full life and he's got good support around him. He's managed to adapt what he does to deal with his condition, but we know not everybody is able to do that. Not everybody's got that support or they are much more severely affected by their macular condition.

“A cure would still mean the world to him. It's very difficult when you've got full vision to imagine a life where your sight is seriously affected but here I am, stood in a room now looking at the sunshine and seeing the trees and seeing people walk down the street. Later I’ll see my colleagues and read the expressions on their faces.

"I can’t really imagine a life where I can’t do that, so I think we've all got a responsibility to help people who find themselves in that situation and the more we can do the better.”

The Macular Society welcomed a partnership with SpaMedica in April this year, with the company setting out to raise £5,000 to support our work funding vital services to research.

Fundraising pride

SpaMedica colleagues have also held their own fundraising challenges, with Richard’s trek in September raising more than £3,000 alone.

“I'm grateful those people who have supported so far,” he said. “Anybody who contributes to any type of charity, particularly in challenging times, I'm very, very grateful for. The work the Macular Society does is first class, what a good cause to contribute to, so thank you to everybody who has contributed.

“We are really proud to support the Macular Society this year, whose work is really incredible. When you consider the debilitating effects that these macular conditions can bring to people, then anything that can help to support them or to change the trajectory of the disease, is worthwhile. So we've been really, really proud to do our little bit to support during this year.”

If you’re looking to do your own fundraising, Richard’s advice is simple.

“Just do something,” he said. “It doesn't matter what it is, whether that’s sitting in a cold bath tub of beans, trekking mountains or holding a coffee morning. Whatever it is, it is so rewarding because it’s not necessarily what you do, it’s because of why you’re doing it.”