3,420 miles to Moorfields
Donation protected
Join us! Going the distance together
Globally, at least 1 billion people have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed. Prevalence of vision impairments is four times higher in lower-income regions, compared to high-income regions (WHO, 2019).
This is a matter close to our hearts.
Since 2016, Kebba's younger brother - Foday, who lives in The Gambia - has experienced deteriorating sight in both eyes. His central vision is now extremely minimal and his peripheral sight is increasingly limited.
Foday's day-to-day life, ability to take part in activities, and ambitions to further his education, and secure his future are already being impacted. To be able to optimise his potential, Foday needs a diagnosis - which requires access to a comprehensive assessment.
Currently, Foday does not have a diagnosis because diagnostic and treatment options are extremely limited in The Gambia. This is the reality for Foday. Foday has been advised to seek medical services overseas and we have been in contact with Moorfields - a world-leading Eye Hospital in London - where a private assessment and follow-up recommendations/options can be provided.
We have to make this assessment possible.
Starting from August 2020, Kebba and Lilli (sometimes Jainaba!) are running and walking the 3,420 miles from Foday's home to Moorfields and raising funds along the way. We aim to raise an initial amount of £5,000. This will cover the cost of flights, a visa, and diagnostic tests - as well as, potentially, some follow-up. Alongside, we'll be hosting and joining various running, and non-running, events (watch this space and get involved...!). First up is a Half Marathon for Kebba at the end of October, and a 10K race for Lilli.
We know this is a huge commitment - and we intend to keep going, however long it takes! If we both run, on average, 25-30 miles a week, it will take us over a year to complete.
But, together, we can get Foday to Moorfields faster. Can you help and support us?
1) Could you pledge something towards our target? We know it's an especially demanding time for so many, and we are hugely grateful of anything you're able to contribute.
1) Could you get sponsored to take on your own running/walking challenge and add your miles to ours?! How about doing a 5K, a 10K (or further!) and getting the support of your family/friends towards this cause...?! We could even run/walk something together!
2) Or, could you organise a fundraiser with your family and friends? How about a 'snowball' lunch/dinner with a few friends (up to five!!), a coffee morning (virtual or in person!), or selling something you've made?
We'd be happy to chat through any ideas! And, we will keep you updated of all our progress along the way!
And, as we won't know exactly the options available - or the total costs - until we have had the initial assessment, we want to reassure you that any funds not used to support Foday will be donated to SightSavers The Gambia for their work to eliminate trachoma, a preventable cause of sight loss.
Globally, at least 1 billion people have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed. Prevalence of vision impairments is four times higher in lower-income regions, compared to high-income regions (WHO, 2019).
This is a matter close to our hearts.
Since 2016, Kebba's younger brother - Foday, who lives in The Gambia - has experienced deteriorating sight in both eyes. His central vision is now extremely minimal and his peripheral sight is increasingly limited.
Foday's day-to-day life, ability to take part in activities, and ambitions to further his education, and secure his future are already being impacted. To be able to optimise his potential, Foday needs a diagnosis - which requires access to a comprehensive assessment.
Currently, Foday does not have a diagnosis because diagnostic and treatment options are extremely limited in The Gambia. This is the reality for Foday. Foday has been advised to seek medical services overseas and we have been in contact with Moorfields - a world-leading Eye Hospital in London - where a private assessment and follow-up recommendations/options can be provided.
We have to make this assessment possible.
Starting from August 2020, Kebba and Lilli (sometimes Jainaba!) are running and walking the 3,420 miles from Foday's home to Moorfields and raising funds along the way. We aim to raise an initial amount of £5,000. This will cover the cost of flights, a visa, and diagnostic tests - as well as, potentially, some follow-up. Alongside, we'll be hosting and joining various running, and non-running, events (watch this space and get involved...!). First up is a Half Marathon for Kebba at the end of October, and a 10K race for Lilli.
We know this is a huge commitment - and we intend to keep going, however long it takes! If we both run, on average, 25-30 miles a week, it will take us over a year to complete.
But, together, we can get Foday to Moorfields faster. Can you help and support us?
1) Could you pledge something towards our target? We know it's an especially demanding time for so many, and we are hugely grateful of anything you're able to contribute.
1) Could you get sponsored to take on your own running/walking challenge and add your miles to ours?! How about doing a 5K, a 10K (or further!) and getting the support of your family/friends towards this cause...?! We could even run/walk something together!
2) Or, could you organise a fundraiser with your family and friends? How about a 'snowball' lunch/dinner with a few friends (up to five!!), a coffee morning (virtual or in person!), or selling something you've made?
We'd be happy to chat through any ideas! And, we will keep you updated of all our progress along the way!
And, as we won't know exactly the options available - or the total costs - until we have had the initial assessment, we want to reassure you that any funds not used to support Foday will be donated to SightSavers The Gambia for their work to eliminate trachoma, a preventable cause of sight loss.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kebba Jatta
Organizer
Lilli Loveday
Beneficiary