A RETIRED deputy head teacher will be trekking across Peru to raise money for charity.

Alison Tasker, who recently retired from Rosebrook Primary School in Stockton, decided to employ her expertise and talents as a trustee for Daisy Chain, supporting families across the Tees Valley affected by autism.

The 61-year-old will be completing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, raising funds along the way.

With her sister Lynn Wardle, a retired nurse, Mrs Tasker is a keen walker and has completed many a trek in the Lake District but, on retirement, the pair decided to undertake something even more adventurous.

She said: "It feels like quite a challenge to undertake. I think I will be fine with the walking and climbing but I have no idea how I will react to the altitude so I am hoping I will be okay with that aspect.

"The climb to Machu Picchu is over 4,400 metres and people can have different reactions to that. I just hope I will acclimatise without too many problems."

The Inca Trial is 26 miles through the Sacred Valley with mountain scenery, cloud-forest, subtropical jungle and Inca paving stones, ruins and tunnels.

The pair will complete the arduous climb to the final destination of the trail – Machu Picchu, the ‘Lost City of the Incas’.

Mrs Tasker said her husband Paul, son John and daughter Sarah are all very supportive of her challenge.

She said: "They think it’s great that I am off to do this.

"I am just so pleased to be raising money for Daisy Chain, the charity gives such a lot of support to families and I know from working in school how important that is.

"I am proud to be a trustee but it feels great to know I can do something amazing, totally different to anything I have done before and raise funds at the same time."

Neeraj Sharma, Daisy Chain chief executive, said: "Our trustees generously give their time, guidance and expertise and we value them enormously.

"It’s brilliant that Alison’s enthusiasm has led to her going that step further and undertaking such a rigorous but exciting challenge and raising funds for us. Adventures like this make memories for a lifetime."