Mum Kate trains for tank run

Kate McKlennan

IF local mum Kate McLennan has trouble finding inspiration as she rides from Laos to Cambodia, then she only needs to take a look at her surroundings.

Mrs McLennan is riding her new bike 464km with a team of 19 other fundraisers with the money raised goes towards installing water tanks in villages and toilets in the homes of Laotian families who go without these basic necessities.

The mother of two is hoping to raise more than $10,000 for children's charity ChildFund Australia.

"At the moment 75% of homes in Laos don't have toilets," Mrs McLennan said.

"It was a country of conflict for a long time so there are a lot of unexploded mines in the jungles and forests and there are a lot of injuries due to people going into the forest to go the toilet."

This isn't the first time that the intrepid adventurer has travelled overseas to raise funds for those less fortunate.

She's already trekked through the mountains of Nepal in 2003 to raise money for the Fred Hollows Foundation.

The obvious question is why she would so happily be outside her comfort zone.

Mrs McLennan's response was just as obvious.

"It's something that I enjoy doing, helping other people," she said.

Although the bike ride doesn't start until November 24, the fundraising is already underway with a webpage dedicated to the task.

A movie night is planned to be held at Sawtell Cinema toward the end of March for World Water Day and several raffles are also being held. The Hoey Moey is supporting the effort by holding raffles there while a special $50 per ticket draw where one in 25 tickets wins an iPad 2.

Donations towards Kate's fund raising effort can be made online at everydayhero.com.au/kate_mclennan