LESS than two years after undergoing treatment for breast cancer, a determined woman is gearing up for a challenging fundraising hike to Everest in aid of a Basingstoke charity.

Starting on October 14, mother-of-three Susie Webster will join a group who will hike through the Solu Khumba in Nepal, from Lukla to above Everest Base Camp – walking between four and eight hours a day at altitude in testing conditions.

Susie is taking on the massive personal challenge because she wants people to see what cancer survivors can achieve – and she is also keen to help future cancer patients, and their loved ones, by raising as much money as possible for Ark Cancer Centre Charity and the new NHS cancer treatment centre it is helping to fund at Basingstoke hospital.

Susie said: “I have a real sense of purpose in taking on this challenge. It would be easy for me to do something less demanding, but cancer treatment is demanding so it seems a fitting way to give something back to the local community for the excellent care I received at Basingstoke hospital.

“When I was undergoing my radiotherapy treatment in Basingstoke, I noticed a poster on the back of the changing room door about Ark and the planned new cancer treatment centre.

“I knew in that moment that I must do something when I was feeling better, and I am delighted that the time to do that has now come.

“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime trek and it will be a real challenge but getting through breast cancer was equally challenging, and since my diagnosis in April 2016, I have always thought: ‘If I can get through this, I can get through anything’.”

Susie, who is 60 and lives in Beech, has been training hard for up to six times a week at Results Health Club in Alton, under the guidance of her trainer James Chuter, from Allsports Therapy.

The HR administrator is self-funding her place on the 16-day trip, and is hoping that her determination to take on this tough trek will strike a chord with supporters.

Susie added: “This will be a massive achievement for me. I want to raise as much as I can for Ark and the cancer treatment centre project, and I hope that I will also be able to give other people hope and inspiration.”

Mark Jones, director of fundraising and communications for Ark Cancer Centre Charity, said: “Susie is an amazing lady, and Ark is proud and honoured that she is taking on this considerable feat to support the charity and the cancer treatment centre project.

“Good luck to Susie, and thanks to all the people who give her the sponsorship support and encouragement that she richly deserves.”

To sponsor Susie, go to https://app.thegoodexchange.com/fundraising-profile/232/susie-webster/11011/to-build-a-state-of-the-art-cancer-treatment-centre.

Ark Cancer Centre Charity is raising £5million towards the new cancer treatment centre, and this will provide a range of support services and complementary therapies, alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.

Largely being funded by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT), plans are progressing to locate the new cancer treatment centre on the existing Basingstoke hospital site.