A Brundall woman is to trek a marathon distance later this year as she strives to raise money for a charity close to her heart.

Clare Brown, of Greenacre Close, will leave behind Norfolk's rolling fields to take on the mountains of Peru in aid of Big C.

She will be trekking 43km along the Inca Trail and reaching heights of over 4,000m above sea level for the Norfolk and Waveney-based charity.

The reason is to show her gratitude to the charity which supported her mum Anne Brown during her battle with ovarian cancer.

Anne was diagnosed with the cancer in November 2009, but following an operation and chemotherapy she was given the all clear in June last year.

During this time Big C helped support Anne, a mum-of-two, in a variety of ways, ranging from comforting chats and massages, to advice on headscarves when she lost her hair and make-up lessons when she lost her eye brows and lashes.

Clare, 32, said: 'After my mum successfully came through her treatment I wanted to find a way to show my gratitude to Big C for all the help and support they gave her and also show my mum how much she means to me.

'I happened to be watching something on TV with Denise Van Outen and Alexandra Burke doing the Inca Trail with people undergoing breast cancer treatment. I thought I need to do something like that as they [Big C] were so good with mum, so I just went and booked it.

'Then I joined the gym because I am probably the unfittest person in the world.'

The trek will begin in Cusco on September 21.

She will journey through Inca ruins and exotic vegetation, as well as up a number of challenging mountain climbs, in varying weather conditions.

She will finish at Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, on September 24 – the date of her mum's birthday.

Clare, who works at Norfolk County Council, said it was quite daunting as she was not a regular walker and has previously suffered from a broken back in a car accident.

She said: 'My usual walking is done with my dogs in a Norfolk field or on a beach, so this is going to be quite a challenge for me.'

Her mum Anne, 57, said: 'I think she is terribly brave, I'm so proud.'

Clare is aiming to raise �2,000 by doing the trek. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/BigCChallenge

Are you doing some extraordinary for a charity close to your heart? Call reporter Richard Wood on 01603 772423 or email richard.wood@archant.co.uk