In a powerful show of solidarity, darts sponsor Paddy Power has deliberately blurred its own logo across Alexandra Palace during the World Darts Championship semi-final. The move is a direct gesture of support for player Ryan Searle, who is competing against teenage sensation Luke Littler while managing a rare genetic eye condition.
Why Paddy Power's Branding is Out of Focus
The striking visual campaign was launched for Searle's last-four clash against Littler. Paddy Power has distorted its signage on the iconic '180' boards held by fans, on-stage furniture, and digital displays throughout the venue. This is not a technical error but a deliberate attempt to simulate the visual impairment experienced by the 38-year-old darts star, known as 'Heavy Metal'.
Understanding Ryan Searle's ADOA Condition
Searle suffers from Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy (ADOA), a hereditary condition causing progressive and irreversible sight loss. ADOA deteriorates the optic nerve, leading to blurred vision in both eyes and difficulty with colour recognition. For a professional darts player, this often means he cannot clearly see where his dart has landed on the board.
"It's a hereditary condition, so I've passed it to both of my children," Searle revealed. "My son doesn't have it as bad as me, but my daughter has it really bad. When it gets to about six feet, she can see, but after that her vision gets really bad, so she's registered as visually impaired."
Raising Funds and Awareness
This campaign aligns with Searle's own efforts to champion the cause. The darts star has already raised over £10,000 for the Cure ADOA Foundation. Paddy Power has pledged to match the £15,000 raised so far for ADOA research and support, significantly boosting the fundraising total.
Searle's journey to the semi-finals, which he secured with a 5-2 victory over fifth seed Jonny Clayton, is a remarkable sporting achievement made even more impressive by the challenges posed by his eyesight. His match against the 16-year-old phenomenon Luke Littler has become a focal point not just for darts, but for raising awareness of a little-known condition.
