TIRELESS Dudley cancer champion Leanne Williams embarks on her biggest challenge to date early next month when she attempts a seven-day trek across the Sahara Desert.

The 39-year-old mum of two from Attingham Drive, Milking Bank, will head off to the Sahara on Sunday November 2.

Leanne, a 999 call assessor for West Midlands Ambulance Service in Brierley Hill, will be spurred on by the promise she made to one of her closest friends who died last year after contracting a rare form of cancer.

That was after Leanne made friends with his wife Fleur Binnington from Manchester on Facebook as both of them were married in Cyprus.

Shortly after, Fleur's husband Chris died from germ cell cancer just before his 44th birthday.

Just prior to his death, he asked the pair to try and raise as much money as possible for cancer charities - and the friends have kept to Chris's wishes.

They reaped £6,622 after holding a charity ball at the Hilton Hotel at Manchester Airport. The pair also collected more than £5,000 from a wedding walk through the centre of Cheadle.

Such was the success of that venture, they now plan to make it an annual event.

They split the proceeds between Cancer Research UK and The Christies Hospital in Manchester, where Chris passed away.

Now Leanne is looking to swell the coffers of Marie Curie Cancer Care following her Sahara expedition.

Leanne, who has already raised more than £5,700 for this quest alone, said: "I was a bit worried at first, because you have to raise a minimum of £2,000 to be able to take part. But I've managed to get way beyond that figure and the total continues to rise. I chose the Sahara trek, because I was looking for the most challenging thing I could do.

"We're only allowed to walk five hours a day, starting early in the morning with the strict instruction of stopping after mid-day because the heat is just too much.

"But I won't stop after the Sahara trek. I will find other challenges to take on.

"I got married in May 2013 and I just couldn't imagine life without my husband. I cannot believe how well Fleur has coped since Chris died, because she has two daughters of her own. When Chris died, it made me unbelievably sad. It had a massive impact on my life.

"It was his wish that we raise money for cancer and that is what we intend to do in his memory."

Anyone who would like to support Leanne on her trek can by going to: www.justgiving.com/leanne-fleur-4chris