UPTON travel agent Val Simcock is closing in on her £2,500 fund-raising target to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime charity cycling adventure across the Dead Sea valley in Jordan.

Mrs Simcock hopes to join women including television presenter Fern Britton taking part in the Women for Women Cycle Jordan event in October.

The challenge raises money for medical research work at the Wolfson and Weston Research Centre for Family Health in London.

Participants have to raise at least £2,500 by early July to confirm their place and Mrs Simcock is well on the way, having recently broken through the £2,000 barrier.

She recently joined others taking part in the event for a visit to the research centre to learn more about its work. The participants were also given a more detailed briefing of the draining conditions they can expect to face during the five-day, 300km ride across challenging desert terrain.

Mrs Simcock said: “I would like to thank everyone who has donated money to my Women for Women challenge. I now have in the region of £2,000 and am very grateful to everyone who has encouraged me to do this.

She added: “I have stepped up my cycle training and am waiting for the sun to shine so that I can at least get in some practice in some warm weather, if this ever comes.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor her can do so by posting a cheque made payable to The Institute Trust Fund to 3 Gardens Close, Upton upon Severn, WR8 0LT, calling in to John Goodwin Estate Agents, in High Street, or calling 01684 593163 or 01684 593125.