A CHANCE flick through the Times last month has led to the challenge of a lifetime for an Okehampton woman.

Wendy Gibb (Pictured left) read about the Mencap Sahara Challenge in the Times' letters page and made the decision to apply for the trek.

Wendy, aged 36, said: 'I thought it would be an excellent thing to do — a challenge for me as well as raising money for a good cause.

'Last year I did an A-level. This year I'm doing something physical.'

The Challenge, which takes place in Morocco between February 10 to 17 next year, involves a 60 kilometre 4x4 vehicle drive, a 25k trek, a 45k off-road mountain bike ride, a 20k cross country run and a 30k camel trek.

Each night is spent under canvas, when the temperature will drop sharply from 'pleasantly warm' days.

Wendy said the aspect she is least looking forward to is the run.

'I think that will be the worst for me, as I've not done any running since I left school,' she said.

Until recently Wendy kept fit by walking or cycling her two children to school and nursery — now she's running her dog instead of walking, and using a rowing machine too.

So what do four-year-old Ailsa and Calum, aged five, think of their Mum?

'I don't think it's really hit them yet,' said Wendy.

'Ailsa thinks I'm her exercise machine — she's actually quite a good weight for me to use and when I'm on the rowing machine I keep getting kisses!'

In addition to getting fit, Wendy has also pledged to raise £2,500 for Mencap.

Calum and his friends at Okehampton Primary School are doing a sponsored silence to raise money for Wendy's challenge — and she will be at Edwardian Evening tonight (Thursday), with a 'guess the amount of chickpeas in the houmous' competition.

She is also asking her family for money instead of Christmas presents this year.

Wendy said Mencap is the UK's leading learning disability charity. It campaigns for people with learning disabilities (formerly known as mental handicap) which result from damage to the brain before, during or shortly after birth.

'Mencap helps children and adults to live full and rewarding lives and helps to elicit independence and a sense of achievement,' said Wendy.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Wendy Gibbs' Sahara Challenge should contact her on 01837 54642.