MUM-OF-TWO Alison Honour’s trips abroad usually involve sunbathing on the beach sipping cocktails.

So she’s the first to admit a gruelling five-day trek 80 miles through the vast Arabian desert is going to be way out of her comfort zone.

Alison, from Kirkheaton, is joining a group of women on a hike from the Dead Sea to the ancient city of Petra in Jordan to raise money for women’s charity, Wellbeing of Women.

The occupational therapist and the rest of the 80-strong group will be led by Bedouin guides, and after a hard day’s trek in the wilderness will bed down under the stars or under canvas in a traditional Bedouin tent.

The extreme desert environment features everything from red dunes to deadly quicksand – with soaring temperatures during the daytime and freezing night time conditions.

Alison, 42, has a long list of equipment she needs to take with her – and there is no room for her beloved hair straighteners.

She told the Examiner: “I’m a bit worried about all the snakes and scorpions at night, it’s going to be really out of my comfort zone.

“I like my creature comforts – I’ve been wondering what I’m going to do without my hair straighteners – I’m going to have to get a hat to cover my hair up.

“There’s not going to be anywhere to get a proper wash and it’s going to be quite basic.

“I’ve only ever been on beach holidays and I love the sun, but I’m usually lying down in it not walking in it – so it is going to be tough. I’m a bit scared but excited too.”

Alison is leaving web journalist husband David, 44 and daughters Becky, 18, a student and Beth, 15, a King James’s School pupil, at home in Huddersfield.

She said: “Because the girls are older now being a mum isn’t going to take up as much time as it has previously done.

“I don’t want to be one of those women who gets all depressed when their children grow up – I want to do something with my free time.

“The girls weren’t really bothered at all that I was going – they will be fine with their dad – but I bet the house will be an absolute tip when I get back.”

Wellbeing of Women raises money for medical research and the development of specialist doctors and nurses working in the field of reproductive and gynaecological health.

Alison said: “It’s an all-woman trek and that’s part of the reason I was attracted to the challenge because it sounded quite nice with all women together with no testosterone getting in the way, or competition.

“It is going to be completely different to anything I’ve done before.

“It’s a worthy charity because it promotes women’s health and I’ve had a few family members and friends who have had problems.”

Alison is taking part in the ‘Girls Get Tough’ challenge in October.

She’s already hard at work training and will keep up her fitness levels by running the London Marathon and the Edinburgh Marathon.

Alison is paying for the trip herself but needs to raise a minimum of £2,800 for the charity by July.

Individuals or businesses who want to sponsor her should visit www.justgiving.com/alisontrek