Determined Worksop's Got Talent founder hopes to raise further £2,000 with half marathon feat

James Clarke, who has already raised a whopping £13,500 for RP: Fighting Blindness since launching Worksop’s Got Talent in 2016, is hoping to add another £2,000 to the pot when he runs Worksop Half Marathon later this year.

Inspirational James, from Gateford, suffers from retinitis pigmentosa- a rare, genetic disorder that involves a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina.

He is registered as partially sighted and has been told he will lose his eyesight at some point in his lifetime.

But it was the devastating blow that came with being banned from driving due to the condition that made the ambitious 23-year-old “more determined that ever” to find a cure.

James said: “Having raised £13,500 so far, I really want 2018 to be the year that I pass the £20,000 mark with Worksop’s Got Talent and this half marathon.

“I am very nervous about doing it, but seeing my sponsor total going up keeps me motivated.

“Training has begun and knowing what I am doing it for, to find a cure for the eye condition, will keep me focussed over the 13 miles.”

James, who is hoping to soon launch his own events planning business, The Memory Box Events, has scooped two awards and was even invited to Buckingham Palace in recognition of his impressive fundraising efforts.

He will run Worksop Half Marathon on Sunday, October 28- to sponsor him visit: www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jamesryanclarke

Everything you need to know about this year’s Worksop Got Talent, including audition and ticket information, can be found on the event’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/WorksopsGotTalent/ or at http://worksopsgottalent.co.uk/.

The event is set to take place at North Nottinghamshire Arena on Friday, October 26.