A TEACHER is preparing to take part in a demanding physical feat to help terminally ill people.

Sam Whitham, who lives in Cowling, will participate in a trek in the Canadian Rocky Mountains in aid of Marie Curie.

She needs to raise more than £4,000 to take part in the venture.

Sam, who is assistant head of the English Faculty at Holy Family School, Keighley, will be 50 later this year.

She explained she had wanted to mark an important year in her life by taking on a challenge.

When she carries out the walk next June, she will be trekking for six to eight hours a day with other Marie Curie supporters for at least five days.

Sam said: "My 50th birthday is on December 29, and I wanted to do something positive, rewarding and useful to others to celebrate.

"Marie Curie is a well-known, reputable charity, so I chose to support them as both my grandmothers died of cancer and a friend of mine has just been diagnosed with skin cancer.

"I’ve already started my fundraising and had a cake and bun sale for staff before the end of the school year that raised £104. I’d like to thank them for their support."

As part of the same fundraising drive, she has also staged a teen disco. Her future events will include a coffee morning in September, bag packing at Keighley's Morrisons Supermarket in October and a disco at Silsden Sports Club in November.

"I enjoy walking, though I wouldn't say I'm a major hiker," she added. "I'll definitely be doing some longer walks before I take part in this.

"I've been to a lot of places, but never been to Canada before, so it'll be a new experience. The weather when we do the trek is supposed to be pleasant – like an English summer – but very cold in the mornings and evenings."

To support Sam's effort online, people can offer money by visiting the justgiving.com/Samantha-Whitham/ web page.

Sharon Link, who is a community fundraiser for Marie Curie, said: "We’re extremely grateful to Sam for choosing to support us.

"This is a big challenge for her, both in the fundraising target she needs to reach and the actual trekking she will be doing.

"Her target of £4,000 will pay for 200 hours of Marie Curie nursing care.

"There are still places available for anyone who might be interested in trekking in Canada, or indeed doing other treks to support the charity."

People interested in helping the organisation can visit mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved for more details.