A GRANDMOTHER has celebrated her 70th birthday by raising more than £400 for an eye clinic that saved her vision.

Sue Davies, who turns 70 on Monday, October 22 raised the money after completing a 48-mile cycle from Prestatyn to the Great Orme in Llandudno, and back, in “almost torrential rain” - despite having Macular Degeneration.

Sue receives sight saving injections into both eyes every four to five weeks at the Stanley Eye unit, in Abergele to treat the condition, which causes distorted her vision.

A build up of liquid in the retina can cause straight lines to become wavy, hallucinations and can make it difficult drive, read, perform other activities of daily life and, in severe cases, make it difficult to recognise faces.

Sue, who was diagnosed four years ago, said: ”I wouldn’t describe myself as an keen cyclist, but I do like to ride the bike to the shops and to Rhyl once or twice a week - not often really as long as this trip.

"I'm quite fortunate that my eyesight is working fine, because I was diagnosed and received treatment so quickly, so I felt the need to give back and make the most of my vision.

"Lot's of people who are diagnosed later on practically lose their sight. In fact, a few years there wasn't any treatment available at all and my mother-in-law didn't have access to any of the care we have now.

"Without this treatment people like me would lose their central vision and with that their independence."

Her condition manifests in making her ability to spot obstructions in road such as potholes far more difficult, so she was accompanied by daughters Lynette Shanks,45, and Natalie Hayes, 40.

Lynette said: "We don't cycle anywhere near as much as mum, but we didn't want her to cycle all that way by herself.

"The weather was horrendous, the wind and almost torrential rain at the top of the Orme nearly blew her off her bike

The trio, all of whom live in Prestatyn, set off from Prestatyn along the coast road at 7am, arriving at the top of the Orme at 9.15am, and despite the weather returned home for 11am.

Sue has currently raised £463 -154 percent of her original £300 target - and is still accepting donations via justgiving.com/fundraising/sue-dale4.