MORE than £3,000 has been raised for a budding Dundee footballer — diagnosed with a condition which could leave him blind — to fund sight-saving surgery.
Connor Coupe, 16, of Kirkton, was told by doctors that he has a rare degenerative sight condition called keratoconus, which causes the cornea to weaken, get thinner and change shape, producing distorted vision.
A JustGiving page was set up in order to fund surgery for the teenager with an initial target of £3,000 — which has been met.
Connor today told the Tele that the support he has been shown was “unreal”.
He added: “I can’t thank everyone enough. Everyone has been brilliant – even people you didn’t expect – they have all been there for me.”
Connor’s mum, Gill, said: “Connor has had so much support from everyone. He isn’t letting this hold him back and why should he? He has fought so hard to get where he is.”
Connor is now set to undergo an operation in July on his eyes called crosslinking — which involves making the cornea stronger — and he will then visit London to visit one of two specialists.
The family has also been given hope after an American specialist heard about Connor’s story online and reached out to offer help. The family now require additional costs if they are to take up the surgery offer.
Gill added: “Eddie Hunt, who set up the page, put us in touch with an American doctor who deals with keratoconus and we are now getting advice about another procedure.
“I will never be able to thank Eddie enough for what he has done for our family. We will be giving Connor the best option for him.
“No matter the cost, I will mortgage the house if I need to.”
People can still contribute to Connor’s JustGiving page.
