TEACHER Andrea Schofield didn't have an Inca-ling of what she would face when she set out on a trek in Peru.

However, Broad Oak High School's assistant head of English quickly got to grips with her challenging fund-raising effort as she hot-footed her way through the South American country.

Miss Schofield was among a 39-strong group performing the nine-day charity trek which has so far raised £105,000 for The Children's Society.

The 31-year-old said: "I heard about the Children's Society Trek in Peru through two university friends. I had to raise £2,500 in order to participate, but this was achieved quickly through support from my family, friends, a charity party in Manchester and a sponsored walk in the Pendle Hill area.

"The Children's Society have already worked within school (it has been adopted as the school charity for the rest of the academic year) and the headteacher, staff and the pupils were very supportive with my fund-raising."

The trek began on October 10 and Miss Schofield and her fellow adventurers wound their way through Peru to the famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, the lost city. The group camped for four nights and reached their destination at sunrise.

She said: "The Inca trail is breathtaking as it leads through the Andes, over high passes, through cloud forest and into sub-tropical vegetation.

"The scenery is amazing, like nothing I have ever encountered before, and the trek was physically challenging. All in all, this was definitely the most rewarding adventure I have ever undertaken."