MACMILLAN CANCER APPEAL: SHEILA Bailey may not be able to move mountains to help Macmillan Cancer Relief but she is determined to climb one.

Sheila, from Abbey Meads, is aiming to raise thousands of pounds when she scales Mount Kenya in October. And she's already taken to the Wiltshire countryside laden with weights to ensure she's at her peak for the challenge.

Sheila, 42, said: "The challenge will demand sufficient fitness to trek for up to seven hours a day at high altitude in the blazing sun to the peak of Point Lenana at 4,985 metres.

"I will be spurred on by knowing that the money I raise, which I expect to be over £3,000, will help people who are facing the far greater challenge of living with cancer."

Sheila, Macmillan fundraising manager for Avon and North Wilts, has the responsibility for raising £850,000 over the next two years to provide additional cancer services in North Wiltshire. She says the task is only achievable because of the hard work of the many volunteers who raise money for Macmillan.

While Sheila is raising money to help present-day patients, she will also be thinking of her own parents.

She said: "My father died of throat cancer 20 years ago at 69. My mother had a mastectomy at 80 but she doesn't dwell on it. She never talks about it and is as fit as a flea at 85.''

The Mount Kenya traverse is a 10-day trek across the mountain range. For information call 020 78407887 or email challenge@macmillan.org.uk

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