A MOTHER-of-three from Beech, near Alton, will be flying out to Nepal this weekend to embark on a challenging fundraising hike to Everest.

Susie Webb, 60, is an amazing lady. Less than two years after undergoing treatment for breast cancer, she will join a group as they 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.

This is a massive personal challenge for Susie 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 money for Ark Cancer Centre Charity and the new NHS cancer treatment centre it is helping to fund.

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.”

She added: “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 has been training hard for up to six times a week at Results Health Club in Alton, under the guidance of trainer James Chuter, from Allsports Therapy.

This has helped her to recover from her cancer treatment and has made sure that she is in the best possible condition to take on the hike.

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

“This will be a massive achievement for me,” said Susie.

“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.”

Ark Cancer Centre Charity director of fundraising and communications Mark Jones 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, visit her fundraising page at bit.ly/2QIjNne.

* Ark Cancer Centre Charity plans to raise £5m toward the new cancer treatment centre, to be located on the existing Basingstoke Hospital site.