People we help

Shared stories

John smiling as he walks along the cliffs, with view across the sea behind him.

“I get both joy and comfort from painting as someone with a visual impairment”

Posted: Thursday 4 September 2025

Having been forced into early retirement, John has always been determined not to be beaten by macular disease. His career as a civil engineer may have been over sooner than planned, but he has since rediscovered his passion for painting.

Izzy stands next to her dad Trevor, his arm around her, having completed a previous running challenge.

“We’re fundraising because we want more people to know about macular disease”

Posted: Wednesday 3 September 2025

A father and daughter will be running the Great North Run together to raise awareness of macular disease and funds to find a cure.

Macular Society volunteer Chris Norris, sat down wearing glasses and a shirt underneath a dark blue jumper.

“If I can help somebody with macular disease, then that’s my legacy”

Posted: Monday 4 August 2025

Chris has three simple hopes for the future: to continue be able to read for as long as possible, to keep running while his sight still allows him and to welcome new treatments or even a future cure for macular disease.

Ann, left, wearing a red cardigan over a pink shirt, holds onto her mum Ruth, wearing a multicoloured shirt under a red cardi.

"I was determined to get help for my mum"

Posted: Wednesday 28 May 2025

When Ruth was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) last year, it was her daughter Ann who saw it as her mission to find her mum much needed support.

2025 London Marathon runner Armaan stands on a bridge spanning the River Thames, smiling as he holds his runner's medal. The London skyline, including Big Ben, can be seen in the background.

"Something I never thought I’d achieve"

Posted: Wednesday 28 May 2025

Armaan, who was diagnosed with macular dystrophy when he was 11 years old, took on his first ever marathon in April, to prove to himself that he could achieve something he never thought he would with sight loss.

Duncan sitting in his living room. He has short white hair, glasses and is wearing a checked shirt while holding his dog - a smiling white terrier.

“I will not be identified by my macular disease”

Posted: Friday 25 April 2025

From experiencing “sheer hell” in the aftermath of his diagnosis to getting his life back on track, Duncan knows all too well how important a positive mindset has been for adapting to a life with macular disease.

Shenay, left, and Cath smiling as they pose for a quick mountain summit photo. Cath is wearing a grey hat, glasses and navy blue jacket with black backpack. Cath is wearing a mustard yellow hat, dark purple coat with scarf and black rucksack.

Friends take on epic mountain challenge to beat macular disease

Posted: Tuesday 1 April 2025

From Yorkshire to Tanzania, two friends who spend their working lives treating people with macular disease are taking on a series of epic mountain climbs in 2025, raising funds to find a cure.

Trevor has short light brown hair and glasses, smiling down the camera outside on a foggy day. He is wearing his rugby club's dark coloured jacket with orange stripes coming down from each shoulder. The jacket includes the Guisborough Rugby Club crest and his initials. The top half of a rugby ball can also be seen which Trevor is holding.

“I used to cry in the shower – there was so much anger”

Posted: Thursday 13 March 2025

Counselling has been a “lifechanging” experience for Trevor, who hit his lowest point when macular disease began to impact both of his eyes.