A SELF-CONFESSED couch potato is to embark on the challenge of a lifetime in aid of a national cancer charity.

Kayleigh Winter is preparing to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro next year after being handed a leaflet at work.

The 24-year-old legal secretary, who now lives in Newcastle but was brought up in Bishop Auckland, is well-known in her family for not being the most energetic person.

“I was really lazy,” she said. “Everyone was shocked when I said I was going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

“I thought it would be good to do new things. I decided to do it for Marie Curie because cancer charities are always in people’s hearts.”

Miss Winter will head out with about a dozen other people for the six-day trek on May29, 2014. In the meantime she has taken up walking and jogging to prepare herself and she is holding a series of events to raise money for the trip.

“I am really excited about it but I know it is going to be really tough.”

She is holding a fundraising night starring Tess Tickle and The Dragettes at The Belvedere, Bishop Auckland, on Saturday, June 1, at 7pm. For tickets call 07581-077911 or 07903-668154.

To sponsor her trek visit justgiving.com/Kayleigh-Winter1

Anyone wishing to join Miss Winter on the trek call Katie Searles on 0191-219-1205 or email Katie.searles@mariecurie.org.uk