Kathry's on a charity mission (From Gazette Series)

Kathry's on a charity mission

AFTER running, walking and cycling around the more hilly parts of Dursley and Stroud, Kathryn Francis is beginning to feel that she might just be fit enough for the gruelling 125km trek she is starting this weekend.

Over the next 17 days Kathryn, from Cam, will be hiking from Lukla in the Khumba region of Nepal and climbing 5,500 metres to the Everest Expedition Base Camp.

Katherine, who runs Mother Nature in Stroud and the Better for Organics delivery service around the Dursley and Stroud areas in partnership with Kurt Hilder, is raising money for the development charity Actionaid(CORR).

"I sponsor a child in the Gambia but I felt I wanted to do more," she said. "But I was finally spurred into action by the devastating scenes caused by the tsunami."

Kathryn was required to raise £2,550 in sponsorship plus around £500 for personal equipment. Several fundraising events were organised including sponsored walks and a table football tournament. Support came from family and friends, business colleagues and suppliers and Mother Nature and box scheme customers.

Despite all this help and activity Kathryn still needs to raise £500.

"I don't have to get the remaining funds before I go, I can carry on fundraising when I get back," she said.

"If I can raise more than the £500 I still need, that would be fantastic." In order to be able to cope with the trek Kathryn has been running up and down Cam Peak three times a week as well as running, walking and cycling around Coaley Peak, Stinchcombe and parts of Stroud.

"It's impossible to know how I will react to the atmosphere at 5,500 metres," she said. "All I can do is to be as fit as I possibly can be."

To sponsor Kathryn, contact her or Kurt Hilder at Mother Nature on 01453 758202, email Better4organics@aol.com or give online at www.justgiving.com/kathrynfrancis