Fifty three year old Jo Hailey from St Albans will set off to trek one of South America’s most iconic trails – the Inca Trail – on 14 May, to raise £2,000 for Transitions UK, a charity that supports disadvantaged young people in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
Jo, Managing Director at Striking Places Photography, will hike 52 miles with five other fellow explorers, to Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Inca citadel situated on a mountain ridge 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level. This will be the most arduous challenge of Jo’s life but she is looking forward to it.
The trek rises to 4,200 metres and Jo, who has never climbed that high before, is hoping she doesn’t fall prey to altitude sickness! She has a strict, daily exercise regime and will be taking part in a training event to the Peak District next month prior to the trek.
Jo Hailey is keen to raise awareness of the work of Transitions UK: “Being a teenager is hard enough nowadays without the added hurdle of mental or physical disadvantages. My children have all recently flown the nest so I wanted to use my spare time to give something back and help young people.”
“The trek is a huge adventure and an amazing opportunity for me personally. Also as a Google Trusted Photographer I’m hoping to capture some stunning imagery of Machu Picchu for Google Street View,” continued Jo.
Ron Overton, Chief Executive of Transitions UK, who is also participating in the Inca Trail trek, commented: “We are extremely grateful to Jo for the funds she is raising for our charity. The trek will benefit the young people we work with directly, who themselves face enormous challenges in their daily lives. This can range from disabilities and special needs, economic and social circumstance, through to emotional and mental health issues, those in care or leaving care, those excluded from school or at risk of offending.”
Jo Hailey has already raised £1,000 but needs your help to raise at least an additional £1,000 to ensure more disadvantaged young people from local communities experience a smooth transition from school to adult life. To donate, please visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/alpaca_trekker. All proceeds will go directly to Transitions UK and will make an immense difference to the lives of disadvantaged people aged 14 – 25 years old.
