TRAVELLING 5,800 miles across the world to offer young people in need a helping hand would be daunting for most people.

But for Skie Hewitt it is all the more challenging.

That is because Skie, 18, was born with glaucoma and is registered blind.

Glaucoma is a condition which causes damage to the eyes’ optic nerve and gets worse over time. It’s often linked to a build-up of pressure inside the eye and the condition tends to be inherited.

Skie, from Colchester, cannot see in one eye and what she can see in the other is mostly just colour.

She has her guide dog Lucy to help her get around and enjoy independence.

But when she travels to Thailand this summer she will be going alone and leaving Lucy at home.

Skie, who left Colchester Sixth Form College with a distinction star, A* and two As last year, will be volunteering in the Asian country.

It will see her help children in the Hill Tribe communities and work at an elephant sanctuary.

As part of her challenge she is raising money for the FutureSense Foundation which helps disadvantaged people across the world.

In Thailand in 2018, it supported 594 children in remote areas with 284 hours of conversational English classes.

Skie will head to the country thanks to Challenges Abroad.

Skie, who is now a first year Psychology student at Royal Holloway, University of London, said: “Since I left the sixth form college I have been determined to make the most of opportunities given to me.

“In June I will be travelling to Thailand independently and spending one week in a school supporting children with English and sexual health education followed by one week at the Save Elephant Foundation.

“I am supporting the FutureSense Foundation through my participation on the Thailand Community Challenge.

“They are committed to delivering on the United Nation’s Goals for Sustainable Development through long-term programmes, delivered by volunteers, focusing on education, health and livelihood support.”

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During her second week in Thailand she will work in animal welfare and environmental conservation.

She will work with the elephant sanctuary which protects animals from the tourism industry.

“This sanctuary has rescued 80 elephants from poaching, riding, the circus, street begging and other threats,” she said.

And Skie hopes her challenge will also raise awareness about disabilities and not having limits.

She said: “The responses I have been getting from people have been amazing, especially due to the project being a little more daunting due to my visual impairment and the fact that I will be travelling without my guide dog, Lucy.

“I want to remind people disabilities do not have to limit you from doing anything that abled people do.

“Only 25 per cent of severely sight impaired and blind people of working age are in paid employment.

“I am determined to improve this not just by ensuring I am a part of this small percentage but by helping to educate employers and encourage others so the number can start increasing.”

Skie is already half way to her fundraising target of £1,850.

To donate towards her cause, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SkieHewitt.