HUNDREDS of blind people will have life-changing treatment thanks to money raised in memory of hiker Esther Dingley, who died while walking in the Pyrenees ten months ago.

The 37-year-old, who lived in Durham before she and partner Dan Colegate went travelling in 2014, went missing during a solo trek in November.

Her remains were found last month following extensive searches by specialist teams in France and Spain.

Read more: County Durham botanist's 88km horse trek for Teesdale's flora

Her loved ones said her ashes have now been scattered “among the places that she loved the most” and revealed that enough money had been raised in her memory to give up to 300 blind people their sight back.

An online fundraising page set up for the charity Sightsavers, also known as The Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind, which works to cure preventable blindness raised £9,165.

Mr Colegate said he chose the charity because Esther enjoyed sharing the beauty of the world through her photography and it upset her that some people cannot see it for preventable reasons.

In a Facebook post, Mr Colegate said: "I wanted to let you know that a while ago now, Esther was laid to rest, according to her wishes, among the places that she loved the most.

"Prior to her cremation, so many messages arrived from all over the world, all of which I read to Esther and which also gave comfort to myself and other members of the family.

"At the same time, the response to Esther's fundraiser has been deeply touching, with enough money raised to give over 300 adults or 100 children back their sight (as confirmed in a thank you message from the charity's fundraising director).

"Thank you all so much for your kindness and generosity of spirit, which I see as a humbling reflection of Esther's own beauty and gift for connecting with people.

"While the pain of her absence haunts me constantly, I try to remain grateful that Esther, for reasons I'll never understand, chose to share so much of that gift with me.

"I don't know if I will ever post here again, however, this page, along with the other social pages, will remain online just as they are now, as part of Esther's legacy.

"With love and best wishes to everyone who has supported us through this difficult time.

"Live life bravely, and gently, and kindly. And smile at strangers. It's the best memorial Esther could have wished for."

 

 

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