A veteran fundraiser who has worked for a children’s charity for half a century is heading to Peru on Friday to begin an epic trek.

Rosie Cleave, 63, of Fenay Bridge, will start her journey from Cusco, a city in south eastern Peru, and will complete it after four days of strenuous trekking up and down steep mountains in a 26 mile long trip lasting 10 days in total.

The keen golfer is paying the cost of the trip herself which has cost her over £2,300. She is hoping to raise as much money as possible for charity.

The married, mother-of-one and retired teacher in charge of a nursery school, is the NSPCC’s Huddersfield branch chairman and has been volunteering for the charity for over 50 years, raising thousands of pounds each and every year.

She will be attempting the challenge along with a group of more than 20 people of all ages and from all over the country.

Rosie said: “I decided to do it in January and thought: ‘let’s do it’. I’m not getting any younger. I climbed Everest 13 years ago for the NSPCC and I wanted to do another amazing challenge.

“I’ve been a volunteer for the NSPCC for over 50 years and still vehemently believe that we can and should protect all children.

“I am funding the trip myself, including my gym membership to help my training which has gone very well.

“I’ve also given up drinking. Any donation large or small will make a huge difference to the charity, so please help me support the NSPCC.”

She added: “I’m really looking forward to seeing the amazing landscape and cannot wait to see the stunning Machu Picchu. Our route is off the beaten track and I will be walking for between six to nine hours per day.

“We will see diverse and spectacular scenery and glimpse the way of Peruvian life that has remained untouched for centuries.

“At the end of the trek we will have some time to explore the ruins at Machu Picchu, the ‘lost city of the Incas’. These breathtaking ruins are nestled high in the Andes between two peaks.

“I am extending the trek to visit Lake Titicaca where amongst other things I will be discovering the pre-Incan ruins and see the world famous hand weavings and staying overnight with a local family who still live an ancient communal lifestyle.”

Helen Verity, NSPCC community fundraising manager, said: “Rosie is one of our longest serving volunteers and is a real inspiration to all of us.

“I’m thrilled that she is undertaking this amazing challenge for vulnerable children and wish her lots of luck in completing the historic route.

“I’m also looking forward to welcoming her home safe and sound and hearing all about her exploits in Peru.”

Rosie has a Virgin money page where people can make donations www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com