In January 2015 Jayne Barrett lost her husband and soulmate Graham to lung cancer - a ’kind, patient, generous and loving man’ who was a special dad to their children Scott and Daisy.

For 12 months after his diagnosis, Graham had received intense treatment delivered by the oncology team at Velindre Cancer Centre, who did their utmost to cure him.

Ever since then Jayne, who lives in Usk and works for Monmouthshire County Council social services department, has been determined to ’give something back’ to the centre through fund-raising.

"I’m hoping that my contribution can help even one family avoid losing a person who’s special to them too soon," she said.

This November Jayne is heading for Nepal to undertake her ’ultimate challenge’ - joining a group of six complete strangers on a 5,550-metre ascent to the foot of Mount Everest, reaching base camp on what would have been Graham’s 55th birthday.

Jayne admits she’s very sentimental about dates and feels the timing is right, and says she’s excited and apprehensive in equal measure.

"Those who know me will tell you that it’s something completely outside my comfort zone! Graham would have been absolutely staggered that I’m doing this, but hopefully proud too," she said.

Jayne has prepared for the challenge by first climbing the Sugarloaf then Pen y Fan and most recently Snowdon, on what would have been the couple’s 30th wedding anniversary - with daughter Daisy by her side.

For the ’main event’ Jayne and the rest of her group will fly to Katamandu then on to Lukla, dubbed ’the most dangerous airport in the world’ due to its short runway, to embark on a 13-day trek to Monjo, staying in tea-houses en route, with temperatures ranging from around 20C by day to -10C by night.

Jayne, who manages memory services and day services at Monnow Vale in Monmouth, has set herself a fund-raising target of £10,000.

A concert featuring rock band Godseys at Usk Conservative Club in May raised £3,500. Jayne has also organised street collections in Usk and Cardiff and is planning further fund-raisers, including a bingo night. "I can’t believe how generous people have been," she said.

If you’d like to support her please go to: justgiving.com/fundraising/JayneBarrettEverest