A 61-YEAR-OLD woman from Walton completed the trek of a lifetime as she climbed the Great Wall of China to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Sharon Harris, who is an Appleton Parish councillor, lost her mum to pancreatic cancer in 2011, just a week after she was diagnosed with the illness.

Along with the support of friends, she has carried out a number of fundraising activities over the past year, including a Zumbathon and gruelling walk up Mount Snowdon.

But after setting off for her latest challenge on October 17, Sharon completed the journey on October 28 and has now smashed her £3000 fundraising target.

World Pancreatic Cancer Day fell on November 13 and Sharon is keen to continue raising awareness.

"I did it – it was truly the most amazing experience of my life," she said.

"It was a varied terrain with the most wonderful people who have all been affected by pancreatic cancer in some way.

"We shared stories, tears and many, many laughs along the way and our motivation was purely to improve the life chances and quality of life for those diagnosed with this indiscriminate disease.

"After years of being the 'Cinderella' of cancers, pancreatic cancer research is now beginning to make progress and is giving hope.

"Even so, the statistics for this disease are fairly much the same as they were 40 years ago.

"Sadly, diagnosis usually comes late and once diagnosed life expectancy is four to six months."

More than £3200 has been raised by Sharon and her friends.

For further information visit justgiving.com/Sharon-Harris6