The 8th of August will see Moginie James vendor Jayne Powling, 49 from Llanishen, swapping her nightly walks along the Taff trail with her two excitable dogs, to taking on the challenge of climbing 2,430 metres above sea level to World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu, over a span of 10 days, in aid of the George Thomas Hospice Care.

Jayne took time out of her busy training schedule to speak to us about the charity and the challenge ahead.

Q. What can you tell us about the George Thomas Hospice Care?

I am fund raising for the George Thomas Hospice Care which is a Cardiff charity delivering free of charge care to adults with life-limiting illnesses. The only adult based hospice in Cardiff, their aim is to improve the quality of their living and dying while extending care, support to their families, and loved ones.

Q. Why did you choose your charity?

Through people that I know I was asked if I would like to join the trek and I immediately jumped at the chance, not only was this trip on my bucket list to do but a very close Uncle of mine who passed away last year suffering with a Brain tumour was cared for by the staff from the hospice. They were not only amazing with my uncle but with the whole family too. Without their support life would have been even more difficult.

Q. How much training have you put into the trek?

I have been training since I knew I was joining the group about a year ago. I started very slowly with small walks along the Taff Trail; increasing the distance I walked each week. I have two dogs so I do tend to walk every evening after work anyway. For the last few months I have been doing hill walking on a Sunday mainly in the Brecon Beacons. I was caught in the thunderstorm that killed two people recently on Corn DDu and Cribyn, passing one of those who were killed only ten minutes earlier. I have been walking in all kinds of weather and being in Wales it has rained every Sunday for the past 5 Sundays!

Q. Who else is in your team?

I am one of eight in our party from Cardiff. Also in our group will be Nicky Piper MBE, a retired Welsh Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight boxer from Cardiff who now works as an events manager for the George Thomas Hospice Care. I am the only female in our group from Cardiff but we will be joining a larger group with people from all over the UK making 28 of us in total.

Q. Have you ever done anything like this before?

I have run the Cardiff Half Marathon for Meningitis Now but I have never done anything like this before so I am very excited and at the same time a bit nervous. I have been advised that we will be met with Oxygen when we get off the plane at ground level in case of need due to the altitude but I am sure I will be fine. The Inca site, voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, is located 2,430 metres above sea level in the Cusco Region in Peru and is situated on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley.

Q. What will a typical day look like for you while hiking Machu Picchu?

A typical day for me whilst trekking the Inca trail will be about a 6 – 8KM walk at high altitude through mountainous terrain. Because of the altitude it is advised not to rush the walk so we will be taking all day to cover the distance required. We will then set up camp each night over four nights and sleep on the mountain. Apparently the second day will be the hardest, so once we are past the second day I am sure I will relax a bit.

Q. What are you most looking forward to?

I am most looking forward to seeing the wonderful sight of Machu Picchu but as well as that I have heard that there are the most incredible sights to see along the way. I am keen to learn more about the Incas and their way of life too.

Q. What are you most worried about, if anything?

I am mostly worried about lack of toilets, if I am allowed to say that!! Also insects and spiders, of which I am terrified! I am also a little worried about the altitude and if I will be affected by it, although we have been advised to drink Cocoa Tea, which is supposed to help.

Q. What does people’s support mean to you?

The support from people will be a huge help to me especially at moments when I will be struggling to keep my feet climbing those mountains at such high altitude. Knowing that people have donated their hard earned money for such a fantastic cause will keep my spirits high and will help to push me on.

Q. How will the money you raise help the charity?

Any money raised will go towards the hospice to help provide free consultant let community specialists who will be able to give palliative care to those facing cancer and other life threatening illnesses in Cardiff.

Q. How do we go about donating?

If anybody would like to donate to my just giving page the link is – www.justgiving.com/Jayne-Powling2

From all of us at Moginie James, best of luck Jayne! We’ll be thinking of you!

If you are undertaking a challenge in the name of charity, and would like to be featured in our community spotlight articles, please share your story with us at alexandra@moginiejames.co.uk