“Fundraising for research is a really integral part of what we should be doing”

An ophthalmology team swapped the clinic for the great outdoors, battling the dark, wind and rain in their efforts to raise vital funds for research to find a cure.

Professor Richard Gale was among the group of colleagues from Newmedica in Grimsby who completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

“Funding research is absolutely critical because today's research delivers tomorrow's treatment,” he said.

The team set off in the early hours of 28 September. It took a little over 12 hours to complete the 24-mile trip, which included a 1,585m (5,200ft) ascent, reaching the peaks of Peny-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

“We wanted to choose something that was going to really challenge ourselves and perhaps that would match the way people face daily challenges with macular disorders,” explained Professor Gale.

“Myself and the team all work with individuals with macular disorders, particularly age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and we see the effect of the disease on individuals and their carers and we all felt like we wanted to do our bit, and help raise funds to support individuals and particularly for research into macular disorders.

“It was a delight to be involved in the challenge. It was a real team effort to get over the big three mountain peaks, as it is a team effort to help our patients on a daily basis, so I think it was very fitting challenge and reflective of that,” he said.

As a consultant medical ophthalmologist, Professor Gale needed little motivation for taking on such a challenge, seeing the impact macular disease has on people every day.

He said: “We all want to be in an environment with advanced understanding of macular disease. We want advancing treatments to advance better outcomes for our patients and ultimately ourselves in the long term.

“So, we feel that fundraising for research is a really integral part of what we should be doing. Being part of that makes us all feel very proud as a team. Equally we’re proud to raise some money which will go through to a good cause and help the understanding and the advancement within the disease.”

The group’s Three Peaks Challenge raised £520 for the Macular Society.

Newmedica Lincolnshire’s business development manager, Lucy Heath, who was a part of the team, said: “We’re very, very grateful for the donations from friends, family, and patients . We wanted to spread the word about what an incredible job the Macular Society are doing, and raise awareness of the reality of living with a macular condition.

"I thought being a regular Crossfitter I might have found the walk relatively straightforward, but I was very wrong! It absolutely challenged my physical and mental strength – particularly coming down the final peak‘’

However, Lucy agreed tackling the elements was worth it in the long run and hopes to do more fundraising events in 2025.

She added: “At Newmedica Grimsby we’ve been running our wet AMD service for a couple of years now, and treatment that we're providing our patients is excellent. However, the reality is there still isn’t a cure. We are so proud to donate our contribution to support the Macular Society, and chip away at more research, and to hopefully one day find a cure, so bring on the next charity event!”