A FUNDRAISING drive at Blackmoor Golf Club has raised £16,092 for a sight charity close to a member’s heart.

Club officers had Fran Berriman in their thoughts when they made the Macular Society their charity of the year.

Her mother was diagnosed around 17 years ago with an age-related condition which can steal a person’s central vision.

The condition, called macular degeneration (AMD), is the most common form of macular disease and affects more than 600,000 middle-aged and elderly people.

Fran said: “Now 86 and registered as partially sighted, her world has become very small because of having macular disease.

“Life can be very difficult and confusing and it is becoming increasingly harder for her to navigate due to her lack of vision.”

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK and affects nearly 1.5million people.

It can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces. Many describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement as there is no cure and most versions of the disease are not treatable.

Golfers raised the sum through raffles, jam sales and social events while a multitude of competitions swelled the fundraising coffers.

The cheque was presented to charity representative Sharon Bullock at the club’s annual Captain Drive-In ceremony. Sam Amphlett, south east regional fundraiser for the charity, thanked the club and its members for their incredible support.

He added: “This incredible gesture will benefit so many people who live with macular disease, whether that’s helping fund our vital counselling or befriending services to ground-breaking research.”

For more information about the other services available from the Macular Society please call 0300 3030 111 or email [email protected]