A FUNDRAISER is on a mission to raise as much money as she can – before she becomes blind and deaf.

Debbie Richardson, of Dorchester, has Usher Syndrome, a genetic condition which affects hearing and vision.

Diagnosed in her twenties, Debbie, now 36, is already registered as partially sighted and suffers from tunnel vision, affecting her periphery sight.

As the condition affects each person differently, she has no way of knowing how much longer she will be able to hear and see.

But she is determined to live life to the fullest and raise funds for research into the condition, and in May, she will take on a 300-mile bike ride from London to Paris.

Debbie has already raised £1,700 and hopes to reach £3,000 so the charity gets £1,000 for every 100 miles she cycles.

“There is no cure or treatment for Usher Syndrome,” Debbie said. “There’s nothing they can do to help me and everyone with the condition is different. Some might be younger than me and have very little vision, there are others who are older and can still see. No one deteriorates at the same rate. One minute you could be fine and the next you could lose your sight.”

The challenge is the longest bike ride Debbie has ever done, though she completed a London to Brighton route several years ago and has taken on long distance walking routes for the charity.

All the money raised will go towards Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) Fighting Blindness, which funds research into the sight-loss side of the condition.

Debbie said: “I bought a new bike last summer and I’ve been training a lot, so I feel well prepared, though I know it will be challenging. All I can do is live every day as best I can, and while I can still fundraise then I will do.”

Debbie is holding a bingo night as part of her fundraising, which takes place at Brownsword Hall in Poundbury from 6.30pm on Saturday, April 1.

Any businesses who would like to donate raffle prizes are being asked to get in touch by emailing deborahrichardson@hotmail.co.uk or calling 07793 125160.