A TRAVEL agent from Stroud is taking a break from planning other people’s holidays to embark a once in a lifetime trip of her own.

Kate Tyler, 34, will be taking part in an incredible five-day group hike through the Sahara desert for charity in November.

She lives in Cashes Green with her two year old son Freddy, and is raising money for the Stroud-based charity Meningitis Now.

She will begin her epic journey on November 19 in Ouarzazate, a town just south of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

From there she will embark on a four day hike through the Sahara, trekking across the wilderness on both foot and on camel, conquering sand dunes and experiencing the unique lifestyle of their nomadic people.

A spectacular desert sunrise at the top of the Chigaga Dunes awaits her at the finish line.

“I am so excited. It is going to such an amazing experience,” said Kate, who works at Odyssey World in Chalford.

“I’ve been to Morocco a few times before; it is one of my favourite places in the world, but I’ve never done anything quite like this. It has always been on my bucket list.”

“I have wanted to do something for charity that makes a difference and will go towards making a real difference for a number of years. With the charity Meningitis Now being local it was the perfect choice.”

The Stroud-based organisation is the only charity dedicated to fighting meningitis in the UK.

Kate is planning to raise more than £1,600 through a number of fundraising events in the next few months, including a bucket collection for the charity in Stroud town centre.

“Whatever you can give will go towards supporting such a wonderful charity and helping with vital research,” she added.

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/Kate-Tyler/ or donate £5 by texting MORC99 to 70070.