A mother-of-two has decided to tackle the challenge of a lifetime, leaving her quiet rural home for a 217-mile cycle across Tanzania to raise money for cancer.

North Norfolk News: Anna Gill of Honing who's raising money for Women V Cancer by riding across Tanzania in October.Picture: Mark BullimoreAnna Gill of Honing who's raising money for Women V Cancer by riding across Tanzania in October.Picture: Mark Bullimore (Image: Archant Norfolk 2015)

Honing mum Anna Gill's mammoth trip is in support of her older sister Lucy who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer five years ago.

The 41-year-old hopes to raise more than £5,000 for Ovarian Cancer Action, a charity which supports people with the disease.

'I am a mixture of terrified and excited, but it is already proving to be an enriching experience,' said Mrs Gill, who works in North Walsham.

'But Ovarian cancer means my sister won't be able to have children, so the biggest effect has been on her.'

Mrs Gill's 45-year-old sister, an air traffic controller in Essex, was in an exercise class when she began to suffer from excruciating pain.

Weeks later she discovered she was suffering from cancer, and underwent major surgery.

Mrs Gill, of Station Road, said she hopes her challenge will help raise awareness among medical professionals, to encourage early diagnosis.

She added: 'At the moment, the five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is 43pc. Twenty years ago, that was the survival rate for breast cancer, now it's 80pc.

'The money I raise might not help my sister in the long run but I hope it will other women in her position.'

While treatment rid Mrs Gill's sister of the cancer, the disease returned to her lymph system two and a half years after her operation.

Mrs Gill, who is one of four children, added: 'The most challenging thing is the uncertainty. We all feel anxious about every appointment, desperately hoping the news is going to be positive.'

After getting a bike, and beginning to cycle across Norfolk, and making regular trip across the coast near Walcott, Mrs Gill signed up for the trip organised by Women V Cancer, which helps three charities. She added: 'I will be doing more exercise this year than I have done in the rest of my life. I'm hoping to be really fit by the end.'

Mrs Gill will be joining almost 100 other women for the five-day trip in October, which takes in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. She has paid the costs of the trip herself, so all money raised will be donated to charity.

To find out more about the fundraising or donate visit www.annagillcyclesafrica.com