Rachael Gurney is facing the challenge of a lifetime as she prepares to trek up Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes.
I’m usually seen wearing high heels and tottering into chic bars, but on 29th September I will be heading to Peru. There I’m going to swop my heels for walking boots and attempt a Charity Challenge four day trek to the top of the sacred site of Machu Picchu. The aim of this is to raise money for the Cancer Centre at Barts Hospital in London.
I rarely exercise but have started doing core exercises, going on timed walks and walking up hills – which made me ache for three days! The altitude in the Andes may also be a problem, which is why I’ve begun training already. In April I shall go to Wales for the weekend for some hill-walking practice up Snowdon.
The hard work will all be worth it if I succeed in raising £4000 for the Cancer Centre at Barts Hospital. A close friend, Samantha, was successfully treated there for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, which is one of the reasons why I have chosen this charity to support.
I want to do this trek as a way of giving something back to the centre which looked after Sam so well.
The second reason that I’ve decided to do this trek is in memory of my father. He died at the early age of fifty eight from cancer and was an important influence on my life.
He installed my love of travelling and discovering new peoples and cultures, so much so that I wrote a book about my experiences.
I want to help be able to help the Cancer Centre in the care it gives to patients and the research which is done.
On a personal level this is a huge physical challenge. Some years ago, I was diagnosed with an extremely virulent Reactive Arthritis. The result of this was that for many months I could only walk a short distance with the aid of crutches. At times I wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to walk again, let alone trek up a mountain, at altitude, in The Andes! I still have bad days, but am hoping that the early training will make me stronger. I’ve visited many countries over the years, from Colombia to Jordan but have always wanted to go to Peru, and by trekking up Machu Picchu and raising money this seems the perfect way.
I’ve started fundraising already as I need to raise 80% of the money by mid-July. As well as setting up a Justgiving page, Sam and I have had an initial event at the Cocktail Club in Covent Garden (that’s us in the photo). The event raised money through selling raffle tickets and by the bar donating a percentage of the money made from the sales of the (specially designed with a Peruvian feel) cocktails, to the cause.
People have already been very generous and I have made £645 so far. Every little helps if it can help fight this terrible disease.
If you would like to sponsor me you can do this by visiting my online fundraising page on www.justgiving.com/Rachael-Gurney1.
If you’d like more info, or have any tips on training or fundraising it would be great to hear from you. You can email me on [email protected] or find me on facebook.
If you’re interested in my book have a look on www.authorhouse.co.uk/Bookstore
‘With the help of charitable donations the Cancer Centre at Barts Hospital helps provide state of the art facilities and equipment; supports cutting-edge research and innovations in treatments and ensures the best possible standards for patients, staff and local communities. The hospitals still rely on the generosity of donors and volunteering from people in our diverse local communities and from those further afield. The Charity’s vital work cannot continue without the help of people like you.’
For further information about the Cancer Centre please visit www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk
Author: Rachael Gurney
Plan your trip to Peru and Machu Picchu with our collection of maps and guides >