Lee Webster will jet off to Addis Ababa at the end of October before setting out on the six-day ride through the lush green highlands of Oromia to Gimbie, home to Maternity Worldwide's largest project.

There, she will have the opportunity to see first hand the impact her efforts will have on women and their families.

Said Lee: "I'm taking part in the Ethiopia Bike Ride Challenge because I think one of the biggest injustices in the world is the number of women who die during pregnancy and childbirth.

"I've been to Ethiopia and seen the Maternity Worldwide project and know they make a real difference to the lives of women and children there. This year I turn 30 and decided to make it my personal goal to get fit, raise funds and make a difference."

Ethiopia suffers from one of the highest levels of maternal mortality in the world and the risk of death in pregnancy or childbirth is one in seven, compared to one in 4,800 in the UK.

The charity is still on the lookout for participants to take part in the bike challenge, which takes place from 31st October-13th November. For more information visit www.maternityworldwide.org.

• To sponsor Lee visit www.justgiving.com/lee_cycles_ethiopia.