HOSPITAL worker Emma Holmes left her office desk far behind today follow in the footsteps of the Incas.

Emma, 20, who works in the corporate services department of Burnley Health Care NHS Trust, was due to fly out today to Madrid and then on to Peru with a party of 50 other fund-raisers.

The walk will involve them completing about 12 miles each day at altitudes of 4,200 metres.

Emma, of Holcombe Drive, Burnley, said: "They have said we will probably suffer from altitude sickness and we have been told we have to chew cocoa leaves.

"I am a bit nervous but I am really looking forward to it. I have done a lot of hill walking in the Lake District and also running all round Burnley and going to a gym.

"I have managed to raise £1,300 so far and I need to raise £2,500 for the Children's Hospitals Appeal but I will be raising the rest once I get back."

Emma has had a lot of help from her former school Towneley High where a non-uniform day was held which raised £651.

Her sister Claire, 15, is a pupil at Towneley and the school is also hoping to hold a concert with a raffle for Emma while she is away.

She said: "The whole trip lasts ten days but it will be the experience of a lifetime and it is probably something I will never do again."