A BRACKEN Bank woman plans to climb Pen Y Fan mountain in the Brecon Beacons to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Charlotte Cook will head for the Welsh wilderness on August 29 next year on a mission to show her daughter that having a disability does not have to stop people achieving.

Charlotte is looking for sponsorship from local businesses to help with travel and accommodation costs, and hopes local people will join her on her walk.

Charlotte, 41, of Central Avenue, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2010 and said she had since lost her marriage, home and job.

She said: “It’s been a hard road – I haven’t been able to work for 10 years due to the multitude of problems I have had not just with the MS but other medical conditions and depression.

“The MS Society has helped me on a few occasions, not to mention the help I’ve received from Airedale and St Luke’s MS nurses and doctors.

“I have lost a lot through this disease and I want to feel like I achieved something and made a slight difference.

“I’ve had a bad relapse this year and I’m fighting to get back on my feet. The walk is a massive challenge for me, but no matter how long it takes me I’m determined to do it.

“My daughter has autism and I want to show her that no matter what disability, if you put your mind to it and have enough determination you can achieve the impossible.”

Charlotte will be accompanied on her expedition by her daughter Jessica Cook, as well as Catherine Hearn, Lisa Theaker, Chris Garside, Jim Dye and Bryan Totten.

Charlotte’s walk up Pen Y Fan will involve an ascent of about 500 metres on a well-maintained but stony path. The return hike takes an adult of average fitness around two and a half hours.

Charlotte has set up a fundraising page at justgiving.com/fundraising/Charlotte-COOK31, with a target of £5,000.

On the page, she says she sees training for the track a slow process due to her health.

She writes: “I have struggled with a weight issue since starting all the meds and not being as active as I used to be. By next year I am hoping to be fighting fit, if not I will give it the best I have got.

“I’m going to do the mountain. It’s a massive challenge for me as I have had a big relapse but I’m determined to do it.

“I want to be able to achieve something that I thought was impossible to give me a sense of pride back, and show my daughter at if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.”