A MUM who has lost sight in both eyes rose to the challenge of climbing a 550-year-old Inca citadel.

Bethan Phillips was born with a condition which meant she had no sight in her left eye.

Earlier this year the sight in her right eye also started to deteriorate and she only has very limited sight.

On turning 40, the mother-ofthree wanted to take on a challenge to prove her condition could not limit her life.

She has just returned from a ten-day trek to Machu Picchu in Peru, an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains.

She said: “I was always told I would lose my sight eventually, so I wanted to challenge myself.

“A few months after I registered for Machu Picchu I started losing sight in my other eye.

“It’s difficult, as much as I have always known it will happen, there was never a timescale put on it.

“I have three children as well so it’s a bit of a blow as you have to live life in a completely different way.”

Still, keen to make the most of the adventure, Bethan said it only made her more determined.

She took a bunch of friends on a training exercise across London, and went on constant walks from Frinton to Clacton.

However, Bethan said: “Nothing can prepare you for the altitude there.

“On the second day we had our first altitude hike just to get ourselves used to the climate.

“Then we spent three days going up and down mountains.

“It was gruelling, particularly due to the altitude, not just the terrain.

“On one of the days we were walking through jungle and it was really hot.

“You can’t be afraid of heights either as there were huge drops.”

She said it was one of the best challenges she has ever completed.

The trek was organised by a company called Charity Challenge, and there were 25 people taking part.

Bethan, who lives in Frinton, added: “Everyone was so supportive, people I didn’t know were walking with me and making sure I was OK.

“My challenge was the steps where I was trying to concentrate on not tripping over something it made me tired.

“But I was still able to see the views and for me it was so special.

I can’t imagine what it must have been like for everyone else.

“I don’t feel like I missed out.”

In total she has raised more than £4,300 for the Royal National Institute of Blind People.