A FEW years ago Hannah Butcher would never have imagined herself lifting a backpack on her shoulders and trekking across Sri Lanka.

Walking through stunning scenery - lush jungle, dense forests, remote villages and ancient cities - she had the experience of a lifetime.

Three years previously the dance teacher took part in a sky dive - something she had to pluck up courage to do.

Hannah, who lives in Drighlington, took part in both activities in memory of her dad Alan who died from cancer in November 2013. She tested herself to raise funds for the charities that took care of him.

“Dad set goals for himself - he had a little notebook which he took to the hospice. He wrote down set goals which he wanted to achieve, so I gave myself challenges too. I wanted to move out of my comfort zone.”

Alan’s cancer had gone into remission once, but returned. “He had cancer when I was small,” says Hannah. “He had it in his kidney and doctors removed it. He was given the all-clear and then it returned.”

It spread to a lung. Three years later, he died. “It was such a big shock for us all when it came back - that was the worst thing.”

She adds: “My dad was my best friend, we were a double act. He was a lovely man, we all really miss him.”

Alan was in hospital for six weeks before he moved to the hospice in Maudsley Street, Bradford, where he stayed for a further six weeks. “It was wonderful. They were absolutely amazing,” says Hannah. “I made so many friends and am really close to a few of them.

She adds: “Every time I went to see my dad he would tell me about the nurses and how lovely they were. One brought in a curry for him to eat.

“When I was on the trek I spoke to a few nurses who did not know who I was but when I mentioned my dad they remembered him clearly even though it was two years ago.”

She adds: “I want to overcome challenges just like my dad did when he first got cancer. He fought it for three years. I know he will be looking down on me and I want him to feel proud.”

Hannah, who has a brother, Ryan, began raising money for cancer research when she was just 14, and every year she takes part in the Race for Life for Cancer Research UK.

Her fundraising has included organising large events. “My first was a couple of months after dad died - I organised a big charity ball at the Cedar Court Hotel. I had never done anything like that before and it raised almost £5,000. All dad’s friends were there - it was lovely for them all to be together.”

The ball was in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, to thank the charity for the marvellous care her dad received from its nurses.

Last year, with a friend, she organised a second ball, this time raising a staggering £15,000, which she split between numerous charities including Macmillan and Marie Curie. She also masterminded a charity swimathon with her dad’s friend Richard Lightowler, and a boxing event at the Midland Hotel.

“That was fantastic - there were so many people there,” she says.

The sky dive brought in £500 for Macmillan. “My dad paid for it for my 18th birthday and I raised £500. “He did not like heights and would not have done anything like this. I wanted him to be proud. He said he did not want anyone to ring him until I was safely down.”

Hannah recalls her dad’s goals, that were mostly met, she says. “He was on a liquid diet and wanted to eat properly - he achieved that, he wanted to leave hospital and achieved that by going to the hospice, and he wanted to walk a bit better and was able to do that.”

Sadly, he did not make his final goal, to go home for a night. "That was a shame, but he achieved everything else."

Hannah raised more than £3,000 to take part in the Sri Lanka trek and, as she walked 15km every day, her thoughts were with her dad. “It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, both physically and mentally. It was also the best thing I have ever done - Sri Lanka is so beautiful and the nicest thing of all were the people I met.”

She adds: “I missed a day at the end as I sprained my ankle slipping off a step, which is a shame,” she says.

Hannah’s mum Julie is proud of her. “She cried when I did the first charity ball and got up to make a speech. She said she could not believe that I had done it.”

This year Hannah plans to organise a fashion show and take part in the gruelling Tough Mudder mud run.

She is also aiming to raise funds to join a Marie Curie trek to Costa Rica. “My mum wants to come too,” she says.

*For more information on fundraising and how you can help to support the hospice contact the fundraising team on 01274 337033 or email support@mariecurie.org.uk.