A grandmother is preparing for a gruelling 150-kilometre trek in the Sahara in memory of her father and mother-in-law who both died of cancer.

Lynn Cawood, 47, will face searing temperatures by day and chilly nights sleeping in a tent after walking for up to eight hours a day.

But the journey through Morocco from March 13 to 20 will also mean trekking through sand dunes as far as the eye can see and passing through spectacular scenery of rocky plateaux and deep gorges.

Leaving civilisation behind, Lynn will wander along routes taken by Tuareg camel traders and through remote settlements to witness first hand the hospitality and lifestyle of nomadic people.

Lynn, of Pinnar Lane, Southowram, is hoping to raise at least £2,500 for the Cancer Research Campaign by taking part in one of the charity's Spirit of North Africa Treks.

Each participant is asked to raise at least £1,800 in sponsorship but those raising £2,500 or more are refunded their registration fee and trek for free.

Lynn, who works as an administrator for a Halifax packaging firm, said: "I've never done anything like this before but I am looking forward to the walk. I know I can do it once I get there.

"My dad, James Mackie, died of cancer at the age of 71 three years ago and my mother-in-law, Jean Cawood, also died of the illness within 12 months of him. She was 59.

"When I saw the advert for the trek in the Big Issue I thought it was the perfect opportunity to make a bigger gesture in terms of raising money for research into the disease.''

Lynn, who has two children, Simon, 29, and Sadie, 23, and an 18-month-old grandson Curtis Cawood, is training hard for her challenge.

She said: "I go to the gym to do circuit training and aerobics for an hour every day during the week and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday I go walking for up to four hours at a time with my husband John.

"He has asked me if I wouldn't mind taking up knitting after I have done the trek!

"Family and friends think I am very brave doing this walk but I think the most daunting thing is raising the sponsorship.''

Anyone willing to sponsor Lynn can contact her on (01422) 321500.

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