A COLLEGE lecturer is preparing for a memorable challenge - to complete the famous Inca trail across the Peruvian Andes and raise at least £2,000 for charity.

Gail Hamilton will celebrate her 45th birthday by setting off on the gruelling trek as part of a 35-strong group aiming to raise £100,000 for Sense, the deaf, blind and rubella charity.

She agreed to the challenge after a chat with Birmingham businessman, John Crabtree, a major fund-raiser for Sense. Mr Crabtree was organising the trip with his wife, Diana.

"She is expecting her third baby in August, so had to drop out and I have always wanted to go to Peru, so I decided to rise to the challenge and take her place," said Mrs Hamilton.

First, however, she has to raise £2,000 as her contribution towards the fund-raising and is planning a sponsored walk, a cheese and wine party and is looking for corporate sponsor-

ship and donations from the public.

The part-time lecturer and work-based learning co-ordinator has never undertaken anything like the 46.6 mile trek before and is busy training in the gym and running up and down the Malvern Hills.

Her arduous journey, at high altitude over mountainous and rough terrain, will take place over 10 days in September.

Group members will be helped by mountain guides and llamas. But they will have to carry their personal items in a rucksack.

"I am looking forward to the challenge but terrified as well. I think the hardest part will be coping with the high altitude," added Mrs Hamilton, who will be leaving behind husband, Hasu, and five-year-old son Cameron.

Donations can be handed in to the college. For more details, call Mrs Hamilton on 01562 512042.