A BLIND girl has walked across 15 foot of burning coals to raise money for ex-servicemen and women.

Nine-year-old Lydia Beech, from Claines, completed the firewalk on Remembrance Sunday, raising £1,465 for Blind Veterans UK along the way.

Born with a condition called Lebers Congenital Amourosis which affects the retina resulting in severe vision-impairment, Lydia knows the challenges of living in a world with sight loss.

The Claines Primary School never lets her vision-impairment stop her enjoying all the same activities as her sighted friends including rolling skating, bike riding, reading, texting her friends using her I-Pad.

She said: “I had to make sure I didn’t stand on the coals for too long and keep moving so that the heat didn’t have time to get through my skin.

“I was born blind so I’m used to it but it must be very hard for the veterans who are used to being able to see. That’s why I’m so proud to have raised so much money.”

Lydia was joined in the challenge by 36 others including her grandmother, Julia Beech, and blind veteran Billy Baxter.

Mr Baxter said: “As soon as I heard Lydia was taking on the Fire Walk I decided I had to join her, she was being brave so I had to be too.

“I know how the money that Lydia has raised will be used to support blind veterans to continue to live as independently as possible and discover a life beyond sight loss.”

The fire walk took place on Remembrance Sunday (08/11) at the Blind Veterans UK training and rehabilitation centre in Llandudno, North Wales.

You can still support Lydia in her fundraising challenge by donating at www.justgiving.com/lydiabeech or call Blind Veterans UK’s fundraising team on 01492 868723 to make a donation in her name.