A fundraiser from Oswestry is preparing to join others from the area on a major trek in Peru to raise much-needed funds for Wrexham's Nightingale House Hospice later this year.

In November, Bethan Owen will be part of a team of 40, self-funding like-minded volunteers who will head out to the Inca capital of Cusco hidden deep in the Andes Mountains.

They will then set off to conquer the one and only Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – the world`s most important archaeological find and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Trekking for five consecutive days at altitude, covering a total distance of about 43km, the route includes three high mountain passes – the highest being 4,200m. The challenge is graded as tough – a demanding trek with some strenuous ascents. With rough terrain and many steps of differing heights to be negotiated – the team is also expecting some very steep descents and have been training hard.

Bethan said: “Recently retired, I needed a focus and an adventure, so when I saw an advert that one of Nightingale House Hospices 25th year anniversary fundraising challenges was the Inca Trail, I thought this is a good cause.

“I can do this as I enjoy keeping fit – not sure about altitude hiking but hey ho I’ll give it a go!”

Nightingale House provides specialist palliative care services, completely free-of-charge, to patients and their families across a wide area stretching from Wrexham, Flintshire and East Denbighshire to Barmouth and the border towns including Oswestry and Whitchurch.

In 2020 it will cost £3,435,943 million to run the hospice – this equates to nearly £9,388 per day.

“It`s so important that the community does what it can to support the hospice in order to keep these services going," said Bethan.

“I particularly believe the drop-in sessions at various locations in the region, for example, Chirk Hospital, are vital for carers and individuals to cope with their debilitating illnesses, such as heart failure and cancer.”

Hospice fundraiser Bethan Scott added: “We are extremely proud of Bethan and all our wonderful soon to be Peru Trekkers.

“Overseas Challenges have very much become an important part of Nightingale House`s fundraising, so much so that in in 2021 we will embark on another trek, Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain which will be the next destination for our hospice fundraisers.

“Fundraising is relentless, and has to be, to keep the hospice open. We are constantly looking for new ways to raise much needed funds. In 2017 we started looking at Overseas Challenges, the first of which was walking the Great Wall of China. Last year, following on from the success of China, 24 volunteers cycled from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. A total of 383km.

“Organising and raising funds is always demanding but rewarding. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) now adds an unprecedented challenge"

"Bethan had organised a quiz night at the Last Inn Hengoed for Friday but it is postponed for now.

Bethan has a Just Giving page on social media if anyone would like to sponsor her at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Bethan-Owen6