Bullied children benefit from trek

Mark, aged 46, sets of tomorrow (October 18) to take part in a five-day trek up the peaks to reach the ancient Inca city of Machu Pichu - nearly 8,000 feet above sea level.

He will be doing it to raise at least £3,000 for Northleigh House, in Hatton, a specialist school for secondary-age children who have been bullied.

On the trek he will have to cope with the prospect of altitude sickness and some of the most frequent symptoms include strong headaches, dizziness, nausea, stomach illness and nose bleeding.

Mark said: “Northleigh House does very good work for the children who go there. They rely on donations and volunteers.”

His training has included gym work, aerobics and climbing Mount Snowdon, which is 3,560 feet above sea level.

He decided to take part in the trek on his own initiative, but the school is the hotel’s nominated charity, as part of the group’s Hilton in the Community charitable work.

To donate to the charity trek go to mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/marksmith4