Katie and Patrick’s 100-mile walk for Moorfields
20 August 2020
Patrick has Usher type 2 and has been supported by Moorfields ever since his diagnosis. As a way of saying thank you for the care he has received, Patrick and his wife Katie undertook a 100-mile walk to raise funds for the charity.
In 2018 Patrick was diagnosed with a rare condition called Usher syndrome. Usher syndrome causes a combination of hearing loss and progressive sight loss, due to a condition called retinitis pigmentosa.
There is currently no treatment or cure for this condition, however Moorfields leads pioneering research using stem cell and gene therapy to search for cures and treatments for conditions like Usher syndrome.
What is Usher syndrome?
Learn more
Usher syndrome is a genetic condition which affects vision and hearing. Vision loss caused by Usher syndrome is due to a condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which affects the retina’s ability to respond to light and leads to a gradual progressive loss of vision.
It can affect the peripheral (side) vision which makes it harder to see in dim light or the dark, and central vision, which causes difficulty with detailed activities such as reading or watching television.
Like many people with retinitis pigmentosa or Usher syndrome my diagnosis two years ago was a huge shock to the system, but it’s also helped both of us reassess our lives in a positive way.
Patrick
The challenge
To raise money to support pioneering research at Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Katie and Patrick decided to take part in a 100-mile walking challenge.
Patrick and Katie walked an epic 100 mile route across the South Downs in Sussex from Winchester to Eastbourne, walking over 8 days from the 24th August to 31st August. Each day they walked between 9.5 – 18 miles and trained throughout the summer for their challenge.
We walked through storms, flooded paths and detoured around 7 bulls blocking the route but we’ve also made the most incredible memories. Thank you so much to everyone who donated to Moorfields Eye Charity, it’s so overwhelming to see the support for something so important to us. Thank you!
Katie
Making a difference
Between them, Katie and Patrick have raised over an incredible £2,000 for us. Thanks to their efforts and to your generous donations, we can invest in more life-changing research, education and care at Moorfields.
