Taking on the Sahara (From News Shopper)

Taking on the Sahara

1:42pm Friday 26th September 2008

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A PARTIALLY sighted man is planning to trek across the Sahara desert to raise cash for research into the disease which is gradually robbing him of his eyesight.

Mark Baxter, 26, suffers from the inherited disease retinitis pigmentosa, and has problems with his peripheral vision and seeing in bright light or in the dark.

But Mr Baxter, a quality assurance controller from Buckley Close, Crayford, has been spurred into action by new, groundbreaking research into the condition and clinical trials, being done at London's Moorfields Eye Hospital.

He is the middle child of three brothers, and both he and his younger brother have inherited the condition through their mother.

Their older brother, living in Australia, does not have the disease, but his daughters could pass it onto any male children they have.

Mr Baxter said: "I was nine when I was diagnosed. I was at primary school and already having problems with my sight, which was why I was referred to Moorfields."

He added: "Now my sight is pretty bad at night and my girlfriend has to lead me around.

"And I cannot drive. But otherwise I am in good shape."

Mr Baxter said: "I am lucky because I still have the independence of having a job.

"My brother, Russell, cannot get a job because employers do not want to take someone with a progressive eye disease."

The research which has captured Mark's imagination, uses gene therapy and stem cells to try and halt the deterioration in the retinas caused by the disease.

He said: "There is hope for sufferers like me and my brother, and the money raised from the trek could bring it closer."

Mr Baxter hopes to be considered for the clinical trials being carried out at Moorfields.

Together with 29 others, Mr Baxter will be trekking across 60 miles of the Sahara in March next year.

He is already in training to make sure he is as fit as possible for the challenge.

• You can donate to his cause by going to justgiving.com/markgoestrekking and find out more about the disease from brps.org.uk

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