A WOMAN from Kingsbridge has completed a ten-day trek of the Grand Canyon, raising £4,700 for the British Heart Foundation.

Kirstie Lett was part of a group of fourteen, with four Canadians and nine Britons, who took part in the expedition organised by the company Charity Challenge.

Kirstie Lett said: ‘It was definitely a once in a lifetime trip. We walked roughly ten miles a day, and spent one night under the stars.

‘The temperatures were pretty extreme, ranging from freezing at night to more than 30 degrees Celcius during the day.’

The group even spent a night staying with a Native American tribe. They ate a meal of traditional food and were treated to some dancing around the fire. While most of the group spent the night in a hogan - a native American mud hut - Kirstie chose to sleep under the stars.

‘It was so dusty and hot, but everyone worked together as a team which was nice. ‘It really felt like we were in the middle of nowhere - we could hear coyotes howling at night, which was pretty scary,’ Kirstie said.

‘On the last day, we walked an exhausting four mile uphill hike. At the end, my sticks were practically pulling me up, my legs were so tired!

‘We started the day at 4,400 feet and climbed a further 2,100 feet to the observation point above Angel’s Landing. The views were absolutely breathtaking,’ Kirstie added.

Kirstie took part in the trip in memory of her baby cousin, Riley Dylan Sperryn who died of an undiagnosed heart condition known as dilated cariomyopathy.

Kirstie had been fundraising for the trek for two years with her friend Amy Lethbridge, also from Kingsbridge. Between them they raised about £7,000 for the British Heart Foundation and the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

Over the course of the year, the two friends organised quiz nights, cake sales, bingo nights, fun days and jumble sales to raise the impressive sum.

Unfortunately Amy was unable to take part in the trek due to a medical condition.

But Amy and Kirstie are now planning another challenge together, and Kirstie is planning to run a half marathon in aid of breast cancer research next year.

Kirstie added: ‘Thanks to everybody for supporting me and for donating so much money to the British Heart Foundation.’

Kirstie’s donations webpage will be accepting donations to the British Heart Foundation until early next year. To donate money, visit www.justgiving.com/klett.