My story

**Update**

** I've just heard that the Machu Picchu trek has been cancelled due to there not being enough uptake, so I have transferred to another trek of similar difficulty. The new trek will be based around Dharamshala in India, and take me trekking around the Himalayas. I'll be trekking for around 7 hours a day across difficult and steep terrain. You can read the itinerary here: http://www.charitychallenge.com/pdf/D_L_Itinerary.pdf **

Thanks for your interest in Gem's little jaunt up Machu Picchu!

My chosen charity is the RSPCA - an organisation that has meant a lot to me since I was 5 (yep, 22 years ago now!) - when I joined the Animal Action Club and wrote them a very demanding letter asking them to save ALL the animals in the world! It's very difficult to imagine the world without the RSPCA in it - quite simply, the animal welfare in England and Wales (and arguably, worldwide) wouldn't be what it is now if the RSPCA hadn't started doing their thing nearly two hundred years ago. They've done so much to shape attitudes, improve animal welfare legislation and help on the front line of animal cruelty, it's impossible not to respect and admire their achievements. And without the support and donations of the public none of this could have happened!

This trip is a big "thank you" to the RSPCA for all they've done for the millions of animals that need them - and for the impact they have had on my life. I hope to raise a hefty wodge of cash for you to help further your work :-)

So, the trek itself... on arriving, and after a bit of acclimatisation to the altitude (hey, its elevation is 3.5km!) I will take part in two days of community project work in the Cusco/Sacred Valley area, before embarking on the four day trek up to Machu Picchu. I'll be on the Salkantay Route, travelling through the land of the ancient Incas, crossing passes up to 4.6km high through the Andes mountains - and onwards and upwards to Machu Picchu itself!

To keep up with the latest in my fundraising and training efforts, "like" my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gems-Jaunt/206898319378004

Or keep an eye on my blog: http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/social/blogs/machupicchu

Thanks so much for visiting my page - double thanks if you donated! My target is a daunting £3,500* so every little counts - even if you can only afford £1! And if you've got a moment, I'd be eternally grateful to anyone who shares this page on Facebook, Twitter or by email. :-)

*£1,725 of all money raised will go towards tour costs

My charity

RSPCA (England and Wales)

RSPCA (England and Wales)

Charity Registration No. 219099

The RSPCA, the leading animal welfare charity. If you're raising money for an animal centre please email fundraisers_support@rspca.org.uk otherwise your money may go towards the RSPCA in England and Wales. Money is not redistributed to the branch, please select the branch from the charity listing.

Donations 79

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Good Luck on your challenge, What a fantastic cause.

Donation by Lee Whitcombe on 09/05/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Just found your facebook page for this so will "like" any second now!! Good luck Gemma, say hi to Karl and Susan if they ever kiss and make up!!

Donation by Vicky, Antz, Noah and Eliza xxxx on 02/05/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Money from Sarah's cake sale/jewellery sale/raffle/sweepstake - thanks to everyone who came, helped and donated!

Donation by Gemma Smith on 02/05/12

£360.00

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From Dads collection of loose change! xxx

Donation by Marilyn Smith on 28/04/12

£15.03

+ £3.76 Gift Aid

Donation by Ben Feely on 24/04/12

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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Good luck Gemma from all at Pelican Buying

Donation by Pelican Buying Company on 24/04/12

£50.00

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Good luck Gem!

Donation by Helen Coen on 18/04/12

£8.00

+ £2.00 Gift Aid

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Thank you to Jane's lovely Mum :)

Donation by Gemma Smith on 18/04/12

£25.00

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Had a lucky few days, this is some of the money we won at Windsor races today and 2 x £10 we won on the lottery at the weekend. Love Mum & Dad xxx

Donation by Marilyn Smith on 16/04/12

£80.00

+ £20.00 Gift Aid

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Good luck Gem... this will be such an amazing adventure, and it's a great cause to raise money for. Love Sarah & Richard xxx

Donation by Sarah Brown on 14/04/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Money from Clothes Swap & raffle - thanks so much to everyone who came/donated/bought tickets/helped out!

Donation by Gemma Smith on 10/04/12

£155.10

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Cash raised from the gig night on 24th March. Thanks to The Embers, Maison 48, Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre, and all who donated & came along :-)

Donation by Sarah Brown on 02/04/12

£205.00

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Hi Gemma, hopefullythis takes you to under the £500 banner - good luck and take lots of blister plasters.

Donation by Peter Powell on 02/04/12

£263.22

+ £65.81 Gift Aid

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Contents of the penny jar, all the best Gemma, keep in touch, xx

Donation by Karen Brown on 17/03/12

£16.00

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From E Bay sales xx

Donation by Marilyn Smith on 15/03/12

£147.93

+ £36.98 Gift Aid

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Good luck Gemma! Hope it's a breath-taking adventure too! Domi

Donation by Dominika Binkowska on 12/03/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Good Luck Gemma!

Donation by Andrew Lyons on 07/03/12

£4.00

+ £1.00 Gift Aid

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Hi Gem, this is the money from Hannah's sponsored silence x

Donation by Lisa Maton on 02/03/12

£120.00

+ £30.00 Gift Aid

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Thank you very much to those at Powerstax who donated.

Donation by Marilyn Smith on 08/02/12

£17.02

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Hi Gemma hope it all goes well for you Andy

Donation by andrew potter on 06/02/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Thanks to all who donated at Kingsmead Farnborough.

Donation by Marilyn Smith on 04/02/12

£42.50

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Happy Birthday Gem, Love from Mum & Dad xx

Donation by Marilyn Smith on 01/02/12

£25.00

+ £6.25 Gift Aid

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Bob came into tell us what you were doing, great cause, great effort, best of luck.

Donation by Billingham Martin Ltd on 06/01/12

£25.00

Mini cake sale!

Donation by Gemma Smith on 29/12/11

£24.60

Donation by Simon Holmes on 29/12/11

£15.00

+ £3.75 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£3,567.53
  • Offline donations£228.60
  • Text donations£7.00
  • Total raised£3,803.13
  • Gift Aid£407.65

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