WHEN South Wirral mum Jacqui Traves lost her sight 18 months ago, she grieved for the things she would never get to do again. 

But the 54-year-old, from Little Sutton, is about to embark on a new challenge altogether when she jumps from the terrifying heights of 10,000 feet to raise money for a charity close to her heart.

Mother-of-two Jacqui lost the sight in her right eye in 1989 due to a bleed at the back of the eye.

Although devastated, she picked herself up and managed well with sight in only her left eye for another 23 years.

She got married, had two daughters and held down a full-time job before setting up her own business with husband Steve.

“We lived life as though there was no disability, taking the girls to dance classes, swimming lessons, horse riding lessons, Rainbows, Guides – the same as any other mum,” said Jacqui.

All seemed to be going well until one Sunday afternoon in May 2012 when Jacqui began to experience blurred vision. She knew immediately that something was seriously wrong.

She explained: “I went to A&E and was told that I had a bleed in the back of the eye, similar to the one I’d had in my right eye all those years ago. Two days later my sight began to close down.”

Despite countless visits to the hospital and appointments with various doctors and specialists, medics were unable to tell Jacqui why it was happening or how they could stop her sight from deteriorating.

It was during that time that Jacqui was put in touch with the Guide Dogs charity and soon matched with a dog called Obie.

Just before Christmas 2013 and after three operations, Jacqui lost the final shapes and shadows that she’d had for the past 19 months.

At 52 years of age, she was totally blind and – due to the total loss of sight – Obie was no longer suitable for her.

Jacqui said: “This was the most terrifying time of my life. I grieved for those things I’ll never see again – day break, sunsets, the faces of my daughters, my husband and my parents. Life looked to hold no future.”

“But Guide Dogs were still there for me and after a while I started training again for another dog. I've been training now for what seems like an eternity but sooner or later the right dog will come along.”

To say thank you for their help, Jacqui will take part in a skydive on Friday, August 21 in aid of the charity – the day before her 55th birthday.

She added: “I hope that by raising money for the organisation I can in some small way repay to Guide Dogs the support and hope that they have given me over the past three years.”

Jacqui has so far raised £805 of her £1,000 target.

To sponsor her, visit justgiving.com/Jacqui-Traves