Updated on Mar 30th 2011 at 12:09 AM from the JustGiving API

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. 

Having trekked the rugged Canadian Rockies last year, I raised in excess of £3,600 for St Andrews Hospice in Lanarkshire and our small group of trekkers raised a staggering £45K through the challenge.

I've  decided to seek out an even bigger quest in my efforts to raise much needed funds for the Hospice and will be travelling to Peru on the 3rd of April 2011 to trek the Inca Trail in the Peruvian Andes.  The Hospice have challenged me to raise a minimum of £3,300 through my trek.

The Peru hiking challenge is a ten day trek climbing steep trails rising to 4,200 metres in diverse mountainous terrain, leading to the legendary Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Sounds amazing, but it will be a gruelling challenge! On route I'll have to contend with the effects of high alltitude, sleeping rough(ok camping) and trekking in extreme weather conditions.

St Andrews need to raise £44,000 each week in charitable donations to maintain care services to around 120 patients (1500 anually) The annual running costs are £4.4 million of which, £2.2m must come from charity!  It's getting harder for the hospice because of the current economic climate, but regardless their patients still need palliative care and their families need support.  I'm really grateful for your continued support for St Andrews, particularly when times are tough for all......

I'm also co-hosting a VIP Party night (Venture In Peru) on 26 March 2011 with my fellow trekker Hazel Barton. Tickets are only £5, location Cathcart and although not compulsary, you can grace the red carpet in celebrity costume (movie star, tv star, disco diva, hero etc) Prizes, surprizes, raffles, auctions and live music from 'Wired'.   Please email me to secure your place on the guest list !!!! arlenesmith1@virginmedia.com  Come to the event to hear about future treks and how you can help the hospice.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate?  Many thanks Arlene