Two years after she was forced to leave a charity trek of the Sahara on day one, when she became “the only person who managed to catch Covid in the middle of the desert”, an inspirational woman from Helston is hoping it will be second time lucky.

Katie Chown may have beaten cancer twice, but it was Covid that proved insurmountable when she was forced to leave a trek for the charity CoppaFeel after the first day of walking, for the safety of other team members.

Having made it through the whole pandemic, she caught Covid on the plane out, and spent the next week isolating in her hotel room, before flying home again.

Now Katie is hoping for a second go – this time taking on the Himalayas for CoppaFeel.

Once again she will be raising funds for the breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel. It is a cause close to her heart, having been diagnosed with grade three triple positive breast cancer in January 2018, at the age of 35.

After finding a small lump under armpit, Katie was sent straight for tests, having previously had thyroid cancer at just 15. Fortunately her breast cancer was caught early and after treatment she was left ready to take on a challenge.

Now training to get fit again by walking the Cornish coastal paths, Katie is fundraising for the trek later this year on a new fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/page/katietreksthehimalayas

Falmouth Packet: Katie (left) training in the Cornish rain with a friendKatie (left) training in the Cornish rain with a friend (Image: Katie Chown)

On it she explains: “So you all remember my ill-fated trip of a lifetime to trek the Sahara in 2022, where I was the only person who managed to catch Covid in the middle of the desert and had to be evacuated?

“Well, on my year anniversary of that ridiculous event, CoppaFeel announced that 2024 would be a charity trek through... the Himalayas!

“It had to be fate, right? That on that day of reflection, something even more epic, more challenging and the polar opposite to the hot, flat, never-ending sands of North Africa, would present itself?

“I must admit, I'm back to square one on the fitness scale, having quit the gym and karate last year. But I can climb a mountain or two, right? I imagine it will be just like playing Far Cry on the PS5...

“Help me please?”

The trip will involve a five-day trek of the Indian Himalayas alongside author, presenter and I’m A Celebrity winner Giovanna Fletcher, the wife of McFly singer Tom Fletcher.

Katie has a fundraising target of £3,600 and in addition to personal donations there is also a sponsorship, with Katie adding: “My incredible mother has sold her car in order to offer a match funding opportunity.

“For up to £1,000 you or your company can be included in all my PR and even branded on me for training and trek, depending on the level of funding. Please contact me for details.”