Meet our community: James Clarke
Aged 20, James was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at a routine eye appointment in September 2015 and registered partially sighted, just prior to buying his first car and taking his driving test.
James was diagnosed with RP in September 2015 and after a few months of digesting the news, he did some online research and found Retina UK. James wanted to contribute towards finding a treatment for RP so decided to create a talent show in his hometown, called Worksop’s Got Talent.
Since 2016, Worksop’s Got Talent’s 8 shows have raised over £140,000 for Retina UK and sells out every year with 700 attendees and a host of celebrity names take their seats as judges for the evening. James has also taken part in skydives, half marathons and treks for Retina UK. From Worksop’s Got Talent’s success, James found a passion for events and fundraising and has worked in those sectors since 2016. James has won 8 awards for his fundraising and has even been invited to Buckingham Palace and Downing Street!
In May 2023, James joined Retina UK as our Events and Community Fundraising Manager, supporting our community with their fundraising events and activities.
You can get in touch with James on James.Clarke@RetinaUK.org.uk.