A SOUTH Lakes postwoman is preparing to take on three demanding 10,000ft challenges to raise cash in aid of stroke victims.

Carol Walthew, from Kendal, plans to:

*jump out of an aircraft;

*take the plunge in the Great North Swim; and

*climb a mountain in the French Pyrenees

Carol, who is based at Windermere sorting office,Troutbeck Bridge, says she wants to deliver on a promise to raise cash for the Stroke Association, the Royal Mail's charity of the year.

She will start with a 10,000ft sky dive over Lancaster on April 5.

Then, in June, she plans to take on Windermere's Great North Swim - a total length of 10,560ft - and climb a 10,141ft peak in the French Pyrenees.

Her aim is to raise £1,000 for the charity. Her fundraising total will then be matched penny for penny by Royal Mail.

Carol said: “Both of my grandmothers died as a result of strokes, so the cause is very personal to me. I’ve taken on charity challenges before, but never anything this intense.

"This time I’m hoping to get as many people as possible behind me to support the Stroke Association and change the lives of people affected by stroke.”

Louise Lawless, of the Stroke Association, said: “Every year there are approximately 152,000 strokes in the UK. That's one stroke every three and a half minutes. It can have a huge effect on you and your family, but thanks to people like Carol, we can help give stroke survivors their best possible recovery.”

Gary Grange, community investment manager at Royal Mail, said: “It’s fantastic to see fundraisers like Carol supporting our charity of the year and doing everything they can to help us to raise vital funds in aid of Life after Stroke Grants. I

"In the next two years, we want to raise at least £2 million for the Stroke Association.”

For more information about stroke please contact 0303-3033-100 or go to www.stroke.org.uk.

To support Carol’s fundraising efforts, please visit https://www.sponsorme.co.uk/carolwalthew/carol's-10,000-feet-triple-challenge-jump,-swim,-climb.aspx