Kate Winslet Helps Fulfill A Girl’s Visual Bucket List

A 12-year-old schoolgirl from Nottingham, England, is turning her fight against a degenerative eye condition into a journey filled with extraordinary experiences, thanks in part to her favorite actress, Kate Winslet. Diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a rare inherited condition that causes blurriness in the central part of the eye, Lily-Rae has been working through a “visual bucket list” to savor as many sights as possible before her vision deteriorates further. Her story took an incredible turn when the Oscar-winning actress stepped in to make a dream come true.

Kate Winslet donated $5,000 to support Lily-Rae’s quest to see the Northern Lights, a key item on her list. But the Titanic star didn’t stop there. She also invited Lily-Rae and her mother, Emma, for a night out in London, where the trio attended a performance of My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican Theatre. The opportunity to meet and spend time with Winslet was a profound moment for Lily-Rae and her mother.

“It just felt like we’d known each other forever,” Emma said. “Kate was very, very welcoming. It sounds like a funny thing to say, but she was just very normal—very humble.” Winslet’s kindness and down-to-earth nature left a lasting impression on the family, who were deeply touched by her generosity.

Stargardt disease, which affects one in 10,000 people, primarily impacts central vision but allows for some peripheral sight to remain. Emma first noticed Lily-Rae’s struggles with reading at the age of five, and the diagnosis was confirmed last December. Lily-Rae’s condition has advanced to the point where she can only see from six feet away and requires a font size of 64 to read her laptop. Despite these challenges, Lily-Rae approaches life with remarkable resilience and positivity. “If there’s anything you feel is wrong with you, it’s not a disability, and no one should see it as a disability. They should see it as an ability,”she said.

Determined to help her daughter create unforgettable memories, Emma launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund the “visual bucket list.” To date, the campaign has raised over £10,000, allowing Lily-Rae to embark on adventures such as a dream safari in South Africa. Other items on her list include seeing Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower and visiting iconic landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Pompeii in Italy.

Winslet’s involvement has brought not only financial support but also heightened awareness of Stargardt disease. She even arranged for Lily-Rae to tick off another item on her list: feeding tigers at Knowsley Safari Park in Prescot, England. “We are so grateful for her donations and help in raising the profile of Lily’s condition,” Emma said.

The support of the global community has also played a significant role in Lily-Rae’s journey. “People have been so generous, and they’ve really understood what we are trying to do for Lily-Rae,” Emma shared. The gratitude extends beyond financial contributions, with Lily-Rae herself creating a heartfelt thank-you card in Braille for Winslet and her family.

As Lily-Rae continues to tackle her bucket list, her story is a testament to resilience, community, and the power of kindness. With the unwavering support of her mother and the generosity of people like Kate Winslet, Lily-Rae is proving that even in the face of immense challenges, life can still be filled with wonder and hope.