A masquerade ball helped Susie Smith raise money towards taking part in a 460kms cycle ride through Vietnam for the mental health charity Mind.

Miss Smith, 28, of Station Road, Brize Norton, will join a group of around 100 cyclists in November for the six day ride from Da Nang across the Marble Mountains to the city of Ho Chi Minh.

"I have to raise a minimum sponsorship of £2,500 but I have set a personal target of £5,000. A masquerade ball at the Eynsham Park conference centre, one of my sponsors, raised more than £1,100," said Miss Smith, who works at Elsevier Science in Kidlington.

She is now in training for the ride - only partly hampered by the weather.

"I've raised money through dinner parties and sponsorship from local companies, including my own and Elm of Burford. Future events include quiz nights and car boot sales," said Miss Smith.

More information about Miss Smith's ride can be found at www.cyclevietnam.co.uk.