Blind Brighton woman, 86, is walking to raise money to help save the sight of others

The 86-year-old, who lives in Brighton, is registered blind and has embarked on the seven-day challenge on Hove promenade to raise money for the Christian Blind Mission's Light up Lives scheme, which funds sight-saving treatments in the world's poorest places.

Margaret, who started her 1,000 steps a day on Monday, has a rare form of glaucoma and is so thankful that five operations and four laser treatments in the last 40 years have helped her keep her sight for so long. But the grandmother-of-nine said her sight has deteriorated rapidly in the last six months and there's not much more that can be done.

She said: "Why am I doing this? Firstly because I'm Christian and also I'm nearly blind myself.

"I have a passion for helping people in developing countries and the Christian Blind Mission is dedicated to finding funding for eye surgery in places like Zimbabwe, where there's a hospital which desperately needs funding for cataract and eye diseases operations."

Margaret said having been able to enjoy a life of travelling with her late husband Alan and having her sight to see her family of four sons and nine grandchildren (plus a great grandchild on the way), she really wants to 'give a gift of sight' to people in Zimbabwe.

She added: "I just think it's wonderful that people younger than I who have eye diseases can be treated so they have the rest of their lives ahead of them, so they can support their families and to be able to work and earn a living and serve their communities.

"I'm at the end of my life, probably, but they are at the beginning of their lives, many many of them who are young and I just want to give them the opportunity to have surgery that could be life transforming for them."

Margaret, who is originally from America but has lived in Brighton for 54 years, has been completing her daily walks using her three-wheeled walker which she says is 'just like Captain Tom'.

Her challenge will finish on Sunday, May 16, and she has already raised £1,610 towards her £2,000 target. Any donations made before midnight on May 20 will be doubled by the UK government.

Sponsor Margaret by visiting her Justgiving page: Margaret Weir is fundraising for CBM UK (justgiving.com)CBM (Christian Blind Mission) is an international, Christian charity working to prevent blindness and transform the lives of people with disabilities. Find out more on the website www.CBMuk.org.ukPlease follow the Brighton Indy Facebook page and keep an eye out for news on our newspaper relaunch.