A TRIPLE transplant recipient from Basingstoke is to embark on the challenge of a lifetime to raise money for charity.

Deborah Duval, 43, was given just a few months to live after suffering diabetes-related renal failure.

Her life was saved when she underwent a kidney and pancreas transplant in 1994. She needed a further kidney transplant in 1999.

Despite the fact that she is now waiting for a second pancreas, Deborah is to walk from Oxford to London in May to raise money for the British Organ Donor Society.

Deborah, from Lower Brook Street, is currently training for her 117-mile, 10-day trek with regular visits to the gym and walks with her West Highland Terrier, Hamish.

She said: "For someone who was once in a wheelchair, this walk is quite a leap for me.

"I want to raise awareness of the fact that organ failure can happen to anybody. I was a fit and healthy young woman until this happened to me.

"This is also my way of thanking people who carry donor cards, and showing them how their gift can change somebody's life."

Deborah will be joined along the way by a number of well-known figures including Ian Botham and the Bath rugby team.

Her final destination will be College Green, Westminster, where BODS members will hold a fundraising and awareness drive.

Deborah would like to hear from anyone who can sponsor her in her fundraising mission. She can be contacted on 01256 816556 or 07802 519 268.