A WINKLEIGH woman who raised more than £1,000 for charity following a gruelling mountain climb in Borneo this year has issued a huge thank you to everyone who supported her so generously. Pixie Maynard, who is 64, made the arduous trek to the summit of 13,436 ft Mount Kinabalu in February ? a huge achievement for a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. Pixie made the decision to attempt the climb following a visit to Borneo last year. She said: ?Having gone through the trauma of breast cancer, I thought why not attempt the climb to raise money towards support for others, who have to cope with hearing this devastating news and all that goes with it? ?The invasive surgery and the post-operative treatments can be likened to climbing a mountain ? you must get to the top, no matter how hard the going!? Once her decision was made, Pixie set herself a strict training regime, as she knew that she would need to be as fit as possible to reach the summit. A former ski journalist, the altitude at more than 13,000 feet above sea level posed no problems ? but fitness and stamina was ?make or break?. Every day she could, Pixie went long distance walking on Dartmoor or the North Devon coastal path, whatever the weather. She carried out her mountain challenge with the help of a guide, Singi Lunsin. Pixie stayed overnight at a hostel once she had reached 10,735ft up the mountain, sharing her room with two ?very large? rats, before getting up at 2am to reach the summit by sunrise. Pixie said: ?The route up in the dark, often involving ropes and ladders, was a strange and alien experience, but the reward of sitting in the morning air, waiting for the sky to lighten, was very emotional. ?Not only had I come through this life-threatening disease, but been able to reach this majestic peak and in so doing, raise money for Breast Cancer Care. ?Without Singi?s constant encouragement I would never have reached the top ? I shall never forget his smile and his instructions: ?Slowly, slowly, small steps ? breathe!?.? Pixie said she was ?constantly amazed? by the support and generosity of those who sponsored her, including the local skittles team, her local hairdresser, the doctor?s surgery, the school where her daughter works ? even guests at the Shangri La Tanjung Aru Hotel in Kita Kinabalu, her base before and after the climb. ?The encouragement and enthusiasm I met when telling friends and relations of my intention to use the climb to raise money for Breast Cancer Care was overwhelming, with many offering to fundraise on my behalf, meaning I was able to reach a target well beyond my original estimate,? said Pixie, who finally raised £1,127 for Breast Cancer Care.