And it was all down to her youngest son, Chris Fawcett who was then 14.
Like so many teenagers, he came from a loving home, but went completely off the rails.
He packed in school early and went to live in Torquay with his elder sister. When he got fed up there he returned to Halifax, but refused to live at home in Rooley Heights, Sowerby.
The council was then forced to house him in a hostel where, despite pleas from his mum and stepdad Brian, he spent all his job-seeker allowance on alcohol. "He was selfish, ignorant and arrogant and his life was going downhill fast. It was heart-wrenching watching him. I was convinced he was going to end up in prison," says the 46-year-old mum of three.
But 22-year-old Chris did not end up behind bars. Instead, he got his life back on track thanks to Project Challenge, a Calderdale charity that provides training and skills for young people and gives them the confidence and qualifications they need to start adult life.
The charity, which gets no Government funding and relies on donations from the public, took Chris and five other troubled youngsters on a 26-week training expedition to a remote area of Norway.
They were put through the mill but gained numerous skills and qualifications, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
"He went a boy and came back a man," says Kath who claims her proudest moment in life was watching him receive his award.
"I couldn't believe what he had gone through and how much it changed him for the better.
"We were all gobsmacked. The expedition taught him to respect and care for other people. One of his problems before he went was that he was selfish and only cared about himself.
"He also understood for the first time that he had family who loved him."
"It was like my prayers had been answered. I was so impressed with the organisation that I vowed there and then that I would do something to thank the staff. And now I am."
Kath, Brian and Chris made it their New Year resolution to do a sponsored walk of Hadrian's Wall. They are trekking from coast to coast and start at Wallsend in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and finish at Bowness-on-Solway, Carlisle. The 84-mile walk on June 30 will take them between five and six days and they are already keeping a detailed diary which is posted on the website www.projectchallenge.org.uk
"So far we have done 24 training walks all over the country in all weathers.
"We are camping over-night and carrying all our provisions ourselves which makes it even harder," says 47-year-old Brian, a plumber.
Chris, who learned how to map read in Norway, is the navigator and says the three would like to raise £16,000 to buy Project Challenge a new minibus.
"The one they have at the moment keeps breaking down so they desperately need a new one," he says.
So far family and friends have promised them £2,000 and the Halifax bank has donated £1,000, taking the total to £3,000.
"People are giving us anything from £1 to £30, which is brilliant.
"Obviously we would like to get more companies on board to back us," says Kath who when she isn't training, is out and about badgering local shops to put up posters advertising the walk, which Chris is calling The Long Way Across.
He says he has a lot to thank Project Challenge for. "The Norway trip was tough but very worthwhile. It taught me self discipline and has given me a goal in life to aim for." He is now at college on his bricklaying course and lives in Siddal, Halifax, with his partner, Emma Thompson and their three-year-old daughter Kadee.
Their second child is due in September.
Kath says she can never repay Project Challenge for what it did for Chris: "It is a fantastic organisation because it is helping change so many local youngsters lives for the better.
"I hope people will recognise this and come forward and support us."
Anyone who would like to sponsor Kath, Brian or Chris or learn more about their challenge can contact Kath on 07858 317304.