Trekking holiday to Peru 'will raise money for cancer care'

Trekking holidays in Peru have provided one traveller with a chance to boost the coffers of a charity while also improving his own health.

Richard Davies, a 48-year-old from Weston-super-Mare, told the BBC that he will trek to the top of the ancient Incan settlement of Machu Picchu in order to raise money for a cancer care organisation.

He was motivated to make the journey after losing his wife to the disease in 2002. Since Christmas 2008, Mr Davies has developed a keen interest in walking, which helped sow the seeds for him to undertake the Peruvian trek.

Walking has helped him to lose more than three stone in weight, although he pointed out that he will have to do plenty more work to prepare him for the trek, which will take place in 2010.

"I'm looking ahead to October next year now and will have to do some training to prepare for 11 days [of] trekking," he said.

Anyone who wants to replicate Mr Davies' mission may like to consider Adventure Company's Empire of the Inca or Flight of the Condor treks.

If this article sparks your imagination then have a look at our Machu Picchu tours or our holidays in Peru page