A former Stowmarket woman is set to take on a gruelling trek to the summit of an Indian mountain to raise money for a charity close to her heart.

East Anglian Daily Times: Katie Hamer with members of the Stowmarket Rookery Bowling Club. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDKatie Hamer with members of the Stowmarket Rookery Bowling Club. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

Katie Hamer, 35, who attended Stowupland High School, will embark on a trip to the Himalayan peak of Stok Kangri – which is more than 20,000ft high – in July next year to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

Katie’s grandfather, Donald Goodfellow, died from the disease when she was 11-years-old and she wants to raise awareness of the work of the MNDA.

Katie, a former teacher in Norfolk, who now works for Oxforshire County Council as a senior transport planner, has already raised more than £2,000 towards a £3,000 target.

She said: “I’m so excited, yet very nervous at the same time.

East Anglian Daily Times: Katie Hamer, who is set to trek Stok Kangri next year. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDKatie Hamer, who is set to trek Stok Kangri next year. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

“At Stowupland High School, I had such an inspirational teacher called Amanda Richmond, who is the oldest British woman to climb Mount Everest.

“Funnily enough I bumped into her recently so she has been giving me a few tips.

“The reason I am doing this is to honour my grandfather, who was an incredible man. He loved the outdoors and hasn’t been able to see me grow up.

“I never got the chance to do all the things I would have liked to do with him. If I can raise some money and awareness of the work that the MNDA do, that can only be a good thing.”

Katie said she will be taking part in a number of endurance training events, including the Great East Run in the lead-up the Himalayan challenge.

Members of the Stowmarket Rookery Bowling Club, which includes Katie’s mum, will be supporting the 35-year-old all the way and have helped out with other fundraising activities.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord.

Five people die every day in the UK from MND and around half of those diagnosed die within 14 months. There is currently no diagnostic test, no effective treatment and no cure.

The MNDA is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland dedicated to improve care and support for people affected by the disease.

For more information, or to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/KtHamer