A COURAGEOUS Stourport woman who successfully fought breast cancer is stepping out to raise cash and spread the word there can be light at the end of the tunnel.

Lindsey Granger was horrified to discover a lump in her breast five years ago but, despite needing radiotherapy and having a mastectomy the following August, she remained positive throughout her illness.

After undergoing reconstructive surgery 18 months ago, she is now preparing to embark on a gruelling hike along the Great Wall of China to generate funds for Cancer Research UK.

The mum-of-one has already raised around £2,700 of the £3,000 needed to take part in the event and hopes to send this figure soaring with a summer ball organised to take place at The Gainsborough Hotel in Kidderminster on Saturday, July 17.

She raised the rest of the cash with an aerobics session and supermarket bag packing.

"I'm a positive person and this has made me even more so because I just think I'm so lucky to be alive," said the 47-year-old, of Caldy Walk, Stourport.

"I've always tried to keep fit and think that one of the reasons it came as such a shock when I found out I had cancer was because people always thought of me as being fit and healthy - so it just goes to show it can happen to anybody."

The bank worker said she had been on a mission to make women aware of the importance of checking themselves since contracting the illness and had helped her friend Jenny Mann, 60, from Marlborough Drive, Stourport, to detect the condition.

"I've got a lot of friends who were so shocked when I found my lump and didn't know much about breast cancer," she added.

"One of them started checking herself because of me and the following year she found out she had breast cancer too and also had a mastectomy."

Ms Granger, who has an 18-year-old daughter, Lianne, will fly out to Beijing on October 3 and spend six to seven days walking between four and eight hours a day along unrenovated parts of the Great Wall of China.

"When I saw this event in China advertised just before Christmas I thought the timing would be just right because Lianne is going to university in Leeds in September," she said.

"But people are always asking for sponsorship so I thought I'd organise some events instead to raise the money."

More information and tickets for the ball, which includes a champagne reception and entertainment by Rod Stewart tribute artist, Gary Pearce, can be obtained by calling 01299 825109.