A GIRL Guide leader has been busy trying to row the distance from Stourport to Mexico to raise money for a dream trip.

Helen Winter was selected last year for a unique trip to attend the Girlguiding World Centre in Mexico for Thinking Day 2008.

To secure funding for the trip she has been trying to row the distance on an indoor rowing machine.

Averaging three hours training a week since the end of October, Mrs Winter, aged 43, from Stourport-on-Severn, has been clocking up the miles. She has been getting friends, family and colleagues to sponsor her by guessing how far she will travel by the end of January.

"I wanted to do something a bit different in the way of fund-raising for the trip and, as an ex-rower, thought this was the ideal opportunity to combine getting fit whilst raising money," she said.

Mrs Winter, who has been with the Third Areley Kings Girl Guide unit for 22 years, departs for her trip-of-a-lifetime on Friday, February 14, and will be in the South American country for two weeks.

She received grants from the Girl Guides and also raised the £1,500 needed for the trip by face painting and bag packing at Sourport's Co-op.