A survivor of breast cancer who underwent a double mastectomy has enlisted the help of her family and friends to embark on a fundraising adventure in China.

Kim Robertson, of The Street in North Cove, was first diagnosed with breast cancer on Valentine's Day in February this year and had surgery to remove the two tumours in March.

'Breast cancer isn't just a small thing. I think nearly 48,000 women are diagnosed with it each year in the UK, and about 300 men,' she said.

'I first found a lump in my breast in October 2010. I found it by accident in the shower and went for all the tests. The type of cancer I had didn't even show up on a mammogram.'

The 46-year-old decided she wanted to trek the Great Wall of China to raise money for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer and said she was 'glad' when her nearest and dearest decided to support her with her fund-rasing efforts.

She said: 'When you're faced with your own mortality it makes you think about your life and what you want to do and this is a positive thing to do. I was always going to do it but I thought I would be doing it on my own. It's really great to have this support.

'When you are diagnosed with breast cancer you just put your life in the hands of the experts and it's like you're just a passenger on a roller coaster - it's out of your control.

'I am so glad my friends and family are supporting me in the fund-raising.'

The team will leave for China in April next year and have to raise a minimum of �2,600 each.

Mrs Robertson will be joined by her five friends, Marianne Knights, Benita Ogg, Tracey Riches, Jo Ashford and Lisa McGurk, her daughter Laura and her sister Paula Allan.

Mrs Ashford, who was also diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago, said she wanted to do the trek 'because of the support everyone has given'. She said: 'This fund-raising challenge is going to be brilliant.'

Mrs Ogg added: 'I really wanted to support Kim because I was really ill once and she helped me. To be there with her and to support her is great.'

As well as the China trek 'Team Robertson' have organised more fund-raising events including a charity bag packing day at Tesco in Beccles on December 11, selling greyhound racing tickets donated by Great Yarmouth Stadium, a ladies night, a ball, a wine tasting event and releasing a 'calendar girls' style 2012 calendar, which goes on sale early next month at Beccles Christmas Fair.

Miss Robertson added: 'My mum always gives 100pc. I feel like she supported everyone else more than she did herself.'

• For more information on any of the fund-raising events or to donate please email kimrobertson@connectfree.co.uk or visit the just giving page www.justgiving.com/Team-Robertson