A NORTH-EAST mother-of-two who lost her father to cancer is to trek 100km along the Great Wall of China in his memory.

Sandra Gray, of Stockton, on Teesside, will travel to the East for a ten-day trekking adventure at the end of May, in a bid to raise money for the Cancer Research Campaign.

The 50-year-old said: "My father had lung cancer and passed away last year, so I am doing it in memory of him. Cancer strikes suddenly and it makes you realise all of a sudden what the important things are in life.

"If I can help just one person through this trek then it will all be worth it.

"It's such a huge personal challenge for me, and it will no doubt be an adventure of a lifetime. I'm very excited."

Mrs Gray is trying to raise the minimum sponsorship of £2,500 with a fundraising evening at the Crathorne Hall Hotel, near Yarm, on January 25.

A buffet meal will be followed by guest speaker and local media personality Paul Frost. There will also be a charity auction, with items on offer including a ride in a stunt car, a one-hour flight in a private plane, beauty treatments, and dinner cooked in your own home by Crathorne Hall's head chef.

The Cancer Research Campaign is hoping to sign up at least 30 people for Trek China, which is part of its Ultimate Challenge 2002. There is a registration fee of £250, with individuals needing to raise the minimum sponsorship of £2,500.

Tickets for the Crathorne Hall event are £16 and are available from the Hall on (01642) 700398. All proceeds will go to the cancer charity.