A GRATEFUL fund-raiser is bringing some clarity to patients suffering with eyesight problems at Warwick Hospital.
Nigel Daniel has raised £10,000 to buy a hi-tech laser to say thank you to hospital staff for restoring his sight.
The 58 year-old from Coventry was referred to the Machen Eye Unit last year suffering with a detached retina.
The next morning surgeon Chris Baddon reconstructed the eye.
But the operation did not go smoothly due to a childhood injury, when the businessman’s eye was slit open by a ruler when aged 11.
In the years which followed the classroom accident he had difficulty with his sight, with scar tissue causing a cataract to form and the need for a false lens to be fitted.
It means Mr Daniel has required treatment on a weekly basis.
But following the surgery his eyesight is now the best it has ever been.
To thank the staff he took on the Three Lakes Challenge – kayaking 25 miles across Loch Awe, 11 miles across Windermere and seven miles on Bala Lake in Wales.
Mr Daniel said: “I haven’t kayaked since my mid-twenties so we trained all summer for the challenge and even then it wasn’t easy.
“With 30mph winds and 4ft waves I think we were the only people on Bala Lake.
“I’m really glad that we were able to complete it because I wanted to raise this money to say thank you to the staff at the eye unit. I have had issues with my eye for most of my life so their skill has had a real positive impact on me.
“I also want to thank all of my business colleagues and friends who supported my fundraising with donations. Their generosity has helped to buy a piece of equipment which will hopefully benefit other eye unit patients in future”.
And surgeon Mr Baddon says the gift will be a big help for future patients.
He said: “On behalf of the Machen Eye Unit and our patients, we would like to thank Mr Daniel and his donors for their kindness and generosity.
“It is an honour and a pleasure to be in a position to serve the public. This gift will certainly help us to be more effective in doing that.”