A Bursledon mum will be swapping her running shoes for climbing boots in her latest fundraising effort.

Last year 38-year-old Katrina Kent made her debut in the London Marathon and raised more than £1,300 for The Foresters' Fund for Children.

Now Katrina's charitable efforts are about to reach a new peak.

For she is joining a 40-strong team that will be scaling some of the spectacular heights of the Himalayas.

She has set herself a target of raising £3,500 for the charity SCOPE, which helps people with cerebral palsy.

Katrina, who lives at Bursledon Green, says: "It has always been my ambition to see Everest."

She was also inspired after reading the epic adventures of actor and famous mountaineer Brian Blessed.

Katrina will be setting off in late November for her adventure and will be trekking from the base camp to the summit of Kala Pattar, which is at 18,188 feet.

Along with her fellow climbers, Katrina will have to make an early start before the clouds come in.

But it will be well worth the climb. For the reward will be a classic view of Everest and the Khumbu icefall.

There are also the peaks of Lhotse, Nuptse and the Tibetian peaks of Changste and Pumori immediately behind. Katrina has been keeping in tip top condition with regular workouts in the gym at Hamble Sports College.

To get to the Himalayas she needs to raise £1,450 and the rest of her fundraising target will go to SCOPE.

With the help of her family, Katrina has come up a wide-ranging package of fundraising.

She has formed her own team for a fun run at Southampton International Airport on June 21.

Other events include a quiz night at Bursledon Community Hall on July 4, a summer ball at the Southampton Park Hotel on July 25, and a skittles night at Bursledon Village Hall on August 30.

Katrina is also hoping to boost her funds by collecting empty cans for recycling.

When it comes to challenges, the Kent family are no strangers.

Katrina's husband, 40-year-old Richard, is a marathon canoeist - a pursuit which he has followed both home and abroad.

Now Richard will be cheering on Katrina as she takes on her latest adventure.

Anyone who would like to support Katrina's fundraising should ring 023 8055 9455.