A BURY teenager who has overcome incredible odds to live her dream of being an international climber has been nominated for a prestigious award.

Reanne Racktoo is registered blind and suffers from mild cerebral palsy, but since taking up paraclmbing at the age of 15 she has gone on to win a number of medals representing Great Britain.

The 18-year-old, an IVF twin, was born 12 weeks early and there were fears she might not survive.

But in 2013 she was selected for the GB para-climbing team and has since won gold medals in the British Paraclimbing series and silver in the European Paraclimbing Championship.

She is also on her way to becoming one of the first visually impaired climbing instructors in the world.

Reanne, of South Bank Road, attends St Vincent’s School for the Blind in Liverpool, and has now been nominated for the Merseyside Woman of the Year award, with the finals ceremony being held tomorrow.

She has a twin brother Rhys, and older brother Khigh.

Mum Amanda said: “She has achieved so much, and she can do anything she puts her mind to.

“I was absolutely floored when we found out she had been nominated for the award.

“She is an amazing child and she deserves everything she gets. Reanne has defied every expectation ever since she was born.

“Because the twins were born very early they were barely expected to survive, but I’m so proud of what they have gone on to do. All of my children are amazing.”

Reanne has not competed this year after undergoing surgery 10 weeks ago, but is hoping to be climbing again in September or October after another operation next month.

Her story was featured in a book published earlier this year - If I Can Do It You Can Too by Antony Staggs - which is made up of inspirational tales of people overcoming hardship.

Amanda added: “It has been a very tough year for her, having to go through the surgeries, but if she doesn’t get it done now then she might never be able to.

“She’s using her right hand fully now, and was out of plaster much quicker than the doctors thought she would be.

“She’s a fantastically determined child. She sees the most difficult climbs and is always certain that she wants to do them, and gets really frustrated when she can’t.

“The effort she puts into everything she does is incredible. I’m the proudest mum in the world.”