PIONEERING surgery to save a Hardwicke great grandmother's sight could be cancelled – as her family cannot get insurance for her to travel to China.

Dorothy Leach, 76, of Springfield, Hardwicke, woke up one morning in February last year to discover she had gone blind.

She was diagnosed with giant cell arteritis, an inflammatory disease of blood vessels.

Doctors in the UK say they cannot restore her sight, but one Chinese hospital offers pioneering stem cell treatment that could restore her vision. The family has managed to raise more than £10,000, and with more money set to arrive, had booked the hospital dates for September 16.

Her daughter Vicky said: "Trying to find insurance for the trip is proving a nightmare.

"We don't mind paying for it, but everyone says no.

"I have explained that the hospital will cover anything that arises from the treatment there, so if anything went wrong, it would not mean a claim.

"However, because the trip is due to last for 42 days, because of mum's age, the companies will not insure her, they only cover 30 days."

She said she had not told Dorothy about the problems yet.

She said: "She is so excited about the trip, I cannot imagine how I will break the news, but if we cannot get insurance, we will not be able to go.

"I anyone knows how or where we can get insurance, we would love to know."

According to Age Concern, travel insurance can be difficult to obtain for the elderly, especially for those with any existing medical conditions.

■ Anyone who can help with advice for the Leach family should contact The Citizen on 01452 420 626, or email david.thomas@glosmedia.co.uk.