A MUM-of-three from Habberley is on a gruelling mission to do something exciting before she hits 40 - and is set to raise thousands of pounds for charity in the process.

Helen Scott, who turns 40 in November, is preparing to walk 60 miles in five days in a charity walk in Canada next month - and is using every trick in the book to raise cash for Acorns Children's Hospice, which is organising the event.

She asked friends and family members to give donations to Acorns instead of giving presents to her one-year-old son George at his christening and has also recruited another mum, Carol Downes, to take part in the gruelling trek across the Chilcotin Mountains, which takes place from June 7 to 11.

The 18 participants, who fly out to Canada on June 5 and return on June 14, are each required to raise a minimum of £2,500 to take part in the event - but Helen does not intend to stop there.

The horse riding instructor, who owns Stourton Hill Stables, has already generated £2,300 and intends to organise other events, including a charity golf day at Bewdley Pines Golf Club in July.

"I've never done anything like this before but I try to go to the gym twice a week," she said.

"At the time I decided to do the walk, George was only six months old and I was three-and-a-half stones heavier so it was also a spur to lose weight and get fit.

"If my husband Ged has a day off I try to go to the gym, but otherwise I go for long walks with the dogs."

She added: "I got this information through from Acorns before Christmas and I said to Ged 'I'd like to do it' and he said 'why don't you?'.

"I sent out a begging letter in my Christmas cards asking for donations - and I've raised about £2,300 so far - but the idea is not to stop when you reach £2,500 - because the more I make, the more money Acorns get."

Helen, whose sons Sam, nine, and Oliver, six, attend the Knoll School in Kidderminster, added: "My children each turned up spontaneously with £5 of their pocket money one day and their school also did a non-uniform day and disco which raised £200. We've also had a couple of businesses interested."

Anyone interested in supporting Helen can contact her on 01562 822821. Acorns can be contacted on 0121 2484800.