Adventurous Daisy Chain trustee and retired deputy head teacher Alison Tasker is to trek in the footsteps of the Incas to raise funds for the autism charity.
Alison, who recently retired from Rosebrook Primary School in Stockton, has a special interest in autism and set up the special educational needs base in the school along with two of her colleagues.
After retirement, she decided to employ her expertise and talents as a trustee for Daisy Chain, supporting families across the Tees Valley affected by autism.
But she decided to go a step further and complete the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, raising funds along the way.
With her sister Lynn Wardle, a retired nurse, Alison, 61, is a keen walker and has completed many a trek in the Lake District but on retirement, the pair decided to undertake something even more adventurous.
‘It feels like quite a challenge to undertake. I think I will be fine with the walking and climbing but I have no idea how I will react to the altitude so I am hoping I will be okay with that aspect. The climb to Machu Picchu is over 4,400 metres and people can have different reactions to that. I just hope I will acclimatise without too many problems.’
The Inca Trail is the most famous trek in South America and is rated by many to be in the top five treks in the world. It is 26 miles (43km) through the Sacred Valley with beautiful mountain scenery, cloud-forest, subtropical jungle and Inca paving stones, ruins and tunnels. It is an arduous climb to the final destination of the trail – Machu Picchu, the ‘Lost City of the Incas’.
Husband Paul, son John and daughter Sarah are all very supportive, ‘They think it’s great that I am off to do this,’ Alison smiles. ‘It’s a long time since I have been camping but I am sure I will cope. I am just so pleased to be raising money for Daisy Chain, the charity gives such a lot of support to families and I know from working in school how important that is. I am proud to be a trustee but it feels great to know I can do something amazing, totally different to anything I have done before and raise funds at the same time.’
‘It’s wonderful to have that support and know that the funds raised will go to support the vital services Daisy Chain provides.’
Neeraj Sharma, Daisy Chain chief executive, says, ‘Our trustees play such a pivotal role in the charity, generously giving their time, guidance and expertise and we value them enormously. It’s brilliant that Alison’s enthusiasm has led to her going that step further and undertaking such a rigorous but exciting challenge and raising funds for us. Adventures like this make memories for a lifetime.’
Alison’s fundraising page is at