THERE aint no mountain high enough for one fearless fundraiser who next year will take up the challenge of a lifetime and scale Mount Everest for Brighter Futures.

Natalie Shirley, originally from Swindon but currently living in Oxford, will spend the coming months sweating it out at the gym in preparation for the ultimate climb.

Natalie, a former competitive swimmer who has previously run three marathons, wanted to do something even bigger this time in a bid to help bring radiotherapy to Swindon.

“I’m really excited about the challenge,” she said. “I have been researching all the things I need to be doing in preparation, including the best ways to train and what I should expect when I get there.”

Working as a physiotherapist at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, Natalie, 27, sees first hand just how difficult the journey is for people suffering with cancer and the huge impact it will have on their lives if they could get treatment in Swindon.

“So many people have to make the journey to Oxford and back, which is at least an hour and a half. Having done that trip myself I know how tiring it is, so it must be awful when you’re ill.

“I think it will be so much better for people in Swindon if we can get a radiotherapy unit there, I can’t stress just how important it is.

“Everybody I speak to knows someone who has had to go to Oxford for treatment and if we could get the unit built it will be so much better for people.”

Natalie, who has previously run marathons in Paris, Bordeaux and, just last year, Madrid, will take on the challenge next September with best friend Katie Hall, who lives in Swindon and is raising cash for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

The trip is expected to take around 17 days and Natalie has to find the £3,500 cost of the trip herself. So far she has managed to pull in around £1,800 in donations, so she’s well on her way.

“I will have to spend a lot of time doing strength training for the legs,” said Natalie. “I will probably have to train for six or seven days each week, and I plan to do it with a heavy back pack to make it as realistic as possible.”

Natalie’s friends and family have been very supportive, but they are not without their doubts.

“Everyone was been wonderful, but the moment they are saying ‘Do you actually know what you are letting yourself in for?’ I would say they are supportive, but apprehensive. They know I have always been up for a massive challenge, no matter what it is.”

So far £985,000 has been raised for Brighter Futures. The team is very grateful for every single donation and wish to thank everyone for their support. To donate you can send cut out and send in the attached form or log on to www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk.