ORGANIC food specialist Alex Te-Strote of Malmesbury is to trek the spectacular Inca Trail in South America to raise money for cancer care.
Mr Te-Strote, 51, of Ingram Street, decided to take up the arduous ten day challenge for Marie Curie Cancer Care after a friend died of cancer last November.
He said: "Doctors gave him six to nine months to live, four years before. He refused treatment and used homeopathic remedies, and was well up to the last few days. He was a wonderful man."
"I always wanted to go to South America and the Marie Curie trek came along."
Mr Te-Strote needs to raise £2,500 before the trip next May, which will help support the charity's work caring for terminally ill cancer patients in their own homes.
The trek will end at the ancient city of the Incas, Machu Picchu, which stands nearly 8,000ft above sea level.
Mr Te-Strote, who works for Fresh and Wild organic food in Bristol, said the training begins this weekend.
He said: "I am looking forward to it. It is a very beautiful part of the country.
"I am reasonably fit. I have studied Tai Chi for the last four years and I work for an organic food company so I have a fairly healthy lifestyle.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article