Partially Sighted 10 year old takes part in Stride For Sight to help charity that helped change her life.

Despite suffering from a rare visual impairment and heart condition 10-year-old Kathryn Willoughby is determined to take part in Stride For Sight, a sponsored walk for Cornwall Blind Association.

Despite suffering from a rare visual impairment and heart condition 10-year-old Kathryn Willoughby is determined to take part in Stride For Sight, a sponsored walk for Cornwall Blind Association.

Kathryn, from Praze near Camborne, has Bilateral Coloboma which has left her extremely short sighted, she also lives with a rare heart condition called Wolffe Parkinson White. This means that on occasions Kathryn's heart beats extremely fast and she needs to be rushed to hospital for emergency treatment where doctors use drugs to stop her heart and start it again.

However she does not let these conditions prevent her from leading an active life and loves reading, playing the piano and is a keen Girl Guide. Since she was three months old she has received masses of support from Cornwall Blind Association which has provided all kinds of services from special baby books, eye tests and up-to-date computer software.

Kathryn wants to give something back to the charity that has helped her and will be taking part in the Stride for Sight walk from Portreath to Devoran along the Mineral Tramway Trail on March 19.

Kathryn said: "I am quite excited about the walk and would love to be able to do the full 11 miles but aiming to do at least eight miles. I really want to raise the money to help people who are less fortune then me and to help others who suffer with visual impairment but most importantly I want to give something back to the charity that has been there for me from the very beginning.

"Sometimes I am restricted in some of my lessons like PE but I try to give everything a go. I really feel that you should try and do something at least once and I never want to turn down an opportunity. Mum says I am fearless. But just because I have limited sight does not mean I can't do things. I am going on school camp soon and I can't wait to do abseiling, the zip wire and rafting."

Jessica Ratty, Communications Manager for Cornwall Blind Association said: "Kathryn is the second youngest member of our organisation and an inspiration to all of us.

"Her determination, dedication and outstanding personality define the reasons we all give so much time to helping visually impaired people across Cornwall.

"We hope that Kathryn will continue to inspire people across the County by encouraging more people to sign up for Stride For Sight to help more people like herself."

The Stride For Sight sponsored walk is Cornwall Blind Association's biggest fundraising event yet. The Charity hopes to capture the imagination of the Cornish as they cross the coast to coast from Portreath to Devoran along the Mineral Tramway Trail.

As they stride past the disused mines, walkers will be reminded of the heritage that serves as a poignant reminder of the Charity's history which started in 1856 to help workers that had been blinded in the mines.

The walk has been broken down into sections for those wishing to show their support and take part without going the whole distance. People can choose between two miles, five miles, eight and a half miles and 11 miles.

Friends, families, businesses and community groups are all welcome to get involved and Cornwall Blind Association has lots of top tips to help with fundraising.

Visit the website to find out more at www.cornwallblind.org.uk or call the fundraising team on 01872 266712. To enter online visit www.strideforsightcornwall.org