Nikki Jones (50) will trek 100 kilometres in the Sahara in just under five days in March to raise funds for RP Fighting Blindness.

Also known as the British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society, the charity is dedicated to finding a treatment or cure for a group of inherited diseases of the retina that all lead to a gradual progressive reduction in vision.

Nikki was diagnosed with RP nearly three years ago after a long process of elimination and has just been registered as partially sighted.

In her case, the disease affected her night vision and peripheral vision first, but over time — how much time, nobody knows for sure — her sight will be further reduced or lost totally, and next to no treatment is available.

"You're told there's nothing that can be done at the moment and left to get on with it," said Nikki.

With limited money available for research, RP Fighting Blindness is organising the Sahara trek as its first overseas charity challenge and Nikki will be among the group aiming to raise valuable funds.

Another participant will be her sister Fiona Nicholas, of Shropshire, who learned of the opportunity from Nikki.

"She said how mad I was, then rang back and said 'I'd like to join you'," recalled Nikki.

The pair need to raise about £5000 between them to take part in the adventure and have begun fund-raising through collections, cake sales, individual sponsorship and support from local businesses and Freuchie Primary School.

Nikki has been training for the trek through long weekend walks and plans to practise sand walking on the St Andrews dunes — although the temperature may be a little colder than she can expect in Africa!

An administrator in Kirkcaldy, Nikki said she had received great support from her work and also her family, husband Ruff and children Holly (12) and Connor (10).

Anyone wishing to sponsor her can visit her just giving page at www.justgiving.com/nikkis-trek.