Story
This September, I’ll be taking on the adventure of a lifetime: hiking the ancient Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It’s a 4-day trek along the same paths once walked by the Incas, through high altitude mountain passes, cloud forests, and rugged, breathtaking landscapes.
It’s a world away from my usual comfort zone — and easily one of the most physically challenging things I’ve ever attempted.
For me, this trip isn’t just about ticking off a bucket list destination. It’s a personal challenge, both mentally and physically. This journey is one that holds extra meaning for me, as it’s a place my mum has always admired. So I’m doing this with her in my heart — and in her spirit, I want to turn this experience into something meaningful.
If I’m going to push myself, I’d like to do it for a cause that means a great deal to both of us: helping cats in need.
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💛 Why I’m Raising Funds
My mum has spent the last couple of years supporting cat rescues, dedicating her time and love to help strays find safety, care, and new homes. I’ve seen first-hand how hard and emotional this work is, and I know how much more help is needed.
Rescue organisations are overwhelmed. Colonies of 30+ breeding cats are becoming all too common, and underfunded charities are doing everything they can to manage the crisis — but the need is endless.
That’s why I’ve chosen to support two brilliant charities doing life changing work — one close to home, and one in the country I’ll be hiking through:
🐾 The Stray Cat Club — A UK charity that rescues, rehomes, educates, and campaigns for better cat welfare, fighting the ever-growing number of strays. https://www.facebook.com/thestraycatclub
🌍 Global Giving - Peru Project — As I trek through Peru, I want to give something back to the country I’m visiting. Global Giving funds spay and neuter campaigns in Peru’s most vulnerable areas, where thousands of stray animals live in heart breaking conditions.
If I reach my fundraising target, I’ll make a £100 personal donation to support this cause further. But even if I don’t hit the full target, I’ll still be making a contribution — because this work matters, no matter what.
So every donation, big or small, will help me get closer to that goal and make an even bigger impact for animals in need. 💛
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The Trek Ahead
Over the four days of the Inca Trail, I’ll cover nearly 50 kilometres (that’s around 80,000 steps!), climb as high as 4,215 meters above sea level at Dead Woman’s Pass, and face unpredictable mountain weather — from cold, thin air to misty cloud forests and the scorching sun.
For someone who isn’t exactly an experienced hiker, this will be a real test of endurance — and every step will be fuelled by the thought that this challenge could help change the lives of countless stray cats.
I’ll also be spending time in the Amazon rainforest, where — if luck is on my side — I might even catch a glimpse of the elusive jaguar 🐆
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💖 How You Can Help
Whether you’re an animal lover, an adventurer at heart, or just someone who loves the idea of turning personal goals into real world change — I’d be so grateful for your support.
Every penny raised will go towards supporting these two charities, helping them continue their life-saving work:
🖤 UK donations will help strays find homes, support neutering, and educate cat owners through The Stray Cat Club.
🌎 Global Giving will fund neutering and animal welfare outreach in Peru, directly helping the strays I will pass by on my journey.
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Thank You
I’ll be posting updates on my training (spoiler: it’s already tough!) and of course sharing moments from the trek itself, so you can follow along every step of the way. Thank you for helping me make this adventure count.
From the bottom of my heart: thank you 🖤
Libby French
