A woman from Gloucester is pledging to raise £30,000 for a Gloucestershire hospice in memory of her sister.

Rebekah Bircher, from Quedgeley, wants to raise the staggering amount with a series of charity events and challenges to mark her 30th birthday year, in memory of her older sister, Kathryn Bircher, who died from cancer when she was just 30.

Kat was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 at the age of 28 and spent time between Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, hospital and home. She died in May a few months after her 30th birthday in January.

“I turned 30 on 4th January 2022 and it is so bitter sweet for me. I'm excited, but at the same time this was the age my sister was when she tragically passed away from cancer,” said Bec. “I really wanted to do something positive to honour Kat, while doing something to support Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, where she spent her final days.”

“The hospice was Kat’s safe place. Although the hospice was a medical setting it was a safe place for her and it holds many memories for us as a family.”

Bec, who works at a GP surgery, will start with her main fundraising activity in April with a climb up Snowdon with 13 friends and family.

“I only started the team for the challenge up Snowdon with three of us, but when I mentioned it to others they wanted to join in and the group has snowballed! We have named our fundraiser Climb for Kat and we have already started training.”

In addition to the climb a number of other events including sponsored cycling, running, and hiking and coffee mornings are scheduled for 2022.

Bec’s family and friends are planning their own fundraisers too, from having charity tins in their places of work, to one friend losing weight and making donations for every pound lost.

“I think Kat would be really proud of what we are all doing in her memory., added Bec, "I think she would be really supportive of the fact that the funds we are raising will be going to an amazing place where she felt so cared for.”

For more information on Bec’s fundraising challenge visit https://kathryn-bircher.muchloved.com/