A FERNDOWN woman is preparing to cycle across Vietnam and Cambodia to raise funds for a cause close to her heart.

Debbie Pettitt is undertaking the challenge to raise money for the Lymphoma Association after her brother Paul died from the disease aged 49.

The 44-year-old will pedal the 525km from Saigon in Vietnam to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

She said: “I have always wanted to travel to these fascinating countries and in the past I have sponsored a child from Cam-bodia.

“When I saw the challenge I thought it would be the ideal opportunity to go there, to challenge myself and to do something positive in memory of my brother who died in December 2010 after battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma for 10 years.

“When my brother was first diagnosed I found the Lymphoma Association website a great help.

“It has lots of information on all types of lymphomas and this helped me and my family understand what he was going through and the treatments available to him. This cycle ride is an opportunity for me to give something back to the charity which helped my family and so many others.”

Debbie is hoping to raise £4,000 for the charity and has been putting in the hours training.

She added: “I have been having pilates lessons to help strengthen my core and back and I am cycling in the New Forest as well as the gym and on the turbo trainer in the shed. I am also going to the gym and swimming.

“This challenge will take me out of my comfort zone and I am secretly terrified. My inspiration and motivation comes from the courage and determination my brother showed throughout his illness, never giving up even in his darkest times.”

To support Debbie, go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DebbiePettitt or contact the Lymphoma Association team on 01296 619419 or visit the website lymphomas.org.uk