Ref. 71725-42A TRIP to see the Lord of the Rings films led to Claire Gibbs deciding to embark on a fundraising trek.

Peter Jackson's trilogy was shot in the stunning scenery of New Zealand, and Claire, who had already visited Australia but could not make it to New Zealand because she ran out of money, realised she really wanted to go.

And so an advert for a trek in the Cineworld cinema programme offering the chance to go to New Zealand to raise money for a worthy cause was too good to pass up.

"It was also a chance to get fit, so it was a case of killing a flock of birds with one stone," said Claire, 31, a trainee driving instructor from Nythe Road, Stratton.

"I am really looking forward to swimming with the dolphins, meeting like-minded people and physically doing something for charity.

"It's easy to just drop some change into a box, but this will be an achievement because I am getting out there and actually doing something to raise money for a good cause.

"I am studying psychology and I'm interested in working with children with learning disabilities.

"Trekking for The Children's Society just seems right."

The ten day trek will take the participants along the Abel Tasman Way on New Zealand's South Island, and will see the walkers go up the 1,600m Mount Fyffe.

Each trekker has to raise £2,850 for the Children's Society to join the trip,

Claire is hoping to organise speed dating events and sponsored walks around Swindon to achieve the total.