THE father of a girl who suffers from a rare condition that has left her with one eye is set to tackle the London Marathon next year in aid of the small charity that helped the family.
Isobel Williamson, seven, was born with ‘microphthalmia and anophthalmia’, which could leave children with only eye sockets.
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After being born at Royal Blackburn Hospital the Rishton youngster’s condition was suspected by doctors but it took a few days for a diagnoses because new-born babies can take a while to open their eyes for the first time.
Now her dad Adam, 28, is preparing to tackle the streets of the capital next year in a bid to raise more than £1,000 for The Micro and Anophthalmic Children’s Society.
After Isobel was born the charity helped the Albert Street couple by providing advice and support and also got them in touch with a network of other parents with children who suffer from the same condition.
Mum Vikki, 33, said: “The charity were absolutely amazing and they have helped us so much.
“They are such a small charity so any money that Adam is able to raise will help them enormously.
“It’s fantastic that he has decided to take this on to support them.”
According to statistics from the charity, 10.4 per cent of babies out of 100,000 are born with the condition which works out at between 80 and 90 a year.
The St Charles’ RC Primary School student has been fitted with a prosthetic eye and has been in and out of hospital since she was born for a series of check ups and operations.
Her aunt Dawn Lord said: “Adam is a gentle giant and it’s amazing that he is going to do the marathon to help this charity.
“When a baby is born it’s such an amazing thing and they are delighted to have her.
“It was a hard thing at first for them to come to terms with but they have both now taken it in their stride.
“The charity has helped them so much and given them a lot of help and support over the years so this is a great way for them to give something back.”
For more information or to sponsor Adam visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/adamwilliamson
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