AN INSPIRATIONAL businesswoman from Tadley, who lost her sight at age 27, is walking five kilometres a day for five days in a bid to raise money for a school and orphanage in India that has been struggling with Covid-19 pandemic.

Liz Jackson from Baughurst in Tadley has started her mission today (Monday), while her gofundme page has raised nearly £5,000 since its creation.

Liz, who started walking using a white cane only recently, said 5k would not have been a challenge if she was holding somebody’s hand.

But since she has just started training to learn how to use a white cane, 25k over five days would be a difficult challenge.

“Navigating this distance, after only two training sessions, will definitely be difficult,” she said.

“Not only will this be a mental challenge, but my white cane with a ball on the end is actually fairly heavy. So, gripping and holding it with an outstretched arm, 25k over five days won't be as easy as it sounds.”

The fund raised from Liz’s challenge will go to St Mark’s School in Kakinada, India, an institution supported by the company she works for. The school educates and looks after over 500 children from the lowest tier of the society.

Liz said many students and staff of the school have been affected by the horrible Covid-19 wave currently going on in India.

“Aside from the challenges of sickness, the cost of food and essential items has rocketed, making caring for the children extremely hard. Of course, our company are doing all they can, but I was keen to help as the need in the area is desperate.

“Vara Prasad, Principal of St Mark’s School, also looks after 30 widows and a nearby leper colony, and his wife, Sunitha, is having 12 weeks of chemotherapy for severe, aggressive cancer.

“This couple and their team are incredible, so providing them with the resources they need to give help will ensure we can make a difference for those in dire need. I want to make sure our provision is immediate, so I am doing this challenge to raise immediate funds.”

Liz’s eyesight condition is called retinitis pigmentosa. It’s a genetic degenerative disease that impacts the retina at the back of the eye.

Although she was diagnosed with the condition when she was just 18 months old, she went completely blind when she was 27.

Liz ran her own business, Great Guns Marketing, for 17 years – an agency based in Basingstoke. At its peak she employed over 100 people and worked for some of the biggest brands in the UK.

She had also been an independent business consultant, advising companies on their marketing strategies. For the last five years she has been working as Sales and Marketing Director at a family-owned mergers and acquisition company.

Liz was recognised by The Queen in 2007 when she received an MBE.

If you wish to contribute to Liz’s fundraiser, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/5k-a-day-white-cane-walk-for-india.

You can also read her life story and details of her training at https://blinddetermination.wixsite.com/blog/post/the-adventure-begins.