MONTHS of baking lie ahead for a Bramhope woman in her bid to set off on a trip of a lifetime.

Helena Watkins is hoping to take part in a ten day trek in Nepal - in the foothills of the Himalayas.

But before she sets off on the trip - which is being staged to raise money for young people's cancer charity, the Lorna Crane Trust - she needs to raise at least £2,000.

And now, she is busy baking cakes to sell at several fundraising events she has lined up.

"I used to be involved in youth work and every time we wanted to raise money, we did some home baking, so I built up a good range of recipes," she said.

The trip is due to take place in March next year and will see Helena and her colleagues fly to Katmandu and then on to Pokhara where they will travel to the starting point of the trek.

It will involve six days of trekking, two short days and four long ones, with the trekkers reaching heights of 2,500 metres.

Helena, 34, an accounts assistant for a firm of Leeds solicitors, said: "It seemed such a challenge and the chance of a lifetime. I've never done anything like this before and have never even been to any part of Asia. I thought if I didn't do it now, I'd never do it."

She is also faced with the task of getting into shape for all the walking.

"I've got to get fit and am hoping the charity will send me some sort of fitness regime to follow."

l Helena's first fundraising coffee morning is due to take place on September 7 at her home from 10 until 4pm. On September 21 she will be holding a coffee morning at the Grove Methodist Chapel, Horsforth, from 10am to 12noon, and she also plans to sell produce at The Buttercross Stall, Otley.

l Anyone who would like to sponsor Helena should contact Lesley Tate at the Wharfdedale Observer on (01943) 465555.