PEOPLE said Ellen Watts' outlook would be limited after she shattered her legs in a car smash.

But the 41-year-old care worker will prove them all wrong when she takes on a charity trek across the Himalayas.

The mum-of-three, from Easingwold, plans to walk 100km over the Western Himalayas in Uzbekistan - along the threads of the silk route in the spectacular Pamir mountains.

Ellen is taking part in the expedition to raise funds for the Leonard Cheshire charity, which cares for disabled people, and celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year.

Almost two thirds of money raised from trip will go to the charity's Alne Hall home, near Easingwold. The rest will go to the international arm of the charity. Ellen, who smashed her legs badly in a car crash when she was 15, says she is more daunted by having to reach the £2,500 sponsorship target for the trip than completing the trek.

As a part-time health care assistant at Easingwold, single mum to Joshua, 10, Emily, 14, and Matthew 17, and a strict training regime to stick to, she says there is little time left for fundraising.

And she is appealing to Evening Press readers to help her with her fundraising drive.

She has already raised £700, thanks to help from Persimmon Homes and cash-spinning talks and lunches by her father, Cliff Simms, and step-mother Mary, who is a member of the Friends of Alne Hall committee.

The couple have visited and raised money for a Leonard Cheshire home in Katmandu.

Ellen has secured sports wear from Bob Pocklington, of Bedale Sports, Bedale, and would welcome other help.

Meanwhile, she is in training, accompanied by her pet border-collie Corrie, for the London Marathon in April. All money raised from that will go towards the Himalayan trek appeal.

Ellen says she only took up physical training 10 years ago.

She was determined to prove people wrong who said activities would be limited because of her accident.

And prove them wrong she did. Not only has Ellen notched up 101 parachute jumps, she also enjoys caving and climbing as well as running half-marathons and other races.* If you can help Ellen, contact the Alne Hall Leonard Cheshire home on (01347) 838295.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.