A NURSE is tackling a gruelling trek to raise money for Manorlands.

Nona Toothill will walk along the Inca Trail, through the Peruvian Andes.

The trek takes in energy-sapping terrain, including the 4,200-metre-high Dead Woman's Pass.

And it culminates at the famous Inca citadel, Machu Picchu.

Mrs Toothill, from Cowling, had originally aimed to raise £4,000 for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

But after learning more about how much it costs to provide services at Manorlands, she decided to up her target to £9,000.

"Manorlands is providing a vital service that supports the NHS, its staff, patients and families," said Mrs Toothill, a urology cancer nurse specialist at Airedale Hospital.

"This specialist hospice care is not available on the NHS and as a professional working in cancer care, I see first-hand how vital and amazing Manorlands is."

She added: "I've always wanted to go to Peru and trek Machu Picchu, so to be able to do so while helping people back home receive the care they need will make the challenge even more worthwhile."

Tribute is paid by Manorlands senior community fundraiser Hayley Ibbotson, who says the proceeds will cover the cost of running the hospice and all its services for a day.

"Nona is taking on a significant challenge – not only personally with all the training required to trek to Machu Picchu but through the amount she is aiming to raise," she said.

"The £9,000 is a phenomenal amount of money – each and every patient we care for and every family we support during that day will have Nona to thank.

"We're so grateful and wish her every success."

Mrs Toothill has a series of fundraising activities planned in the coming months, ahead of the trek, which takes place next October.

Events include a sponsored walk along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath, on January 7.

Anyone wishing to take part should contact the Manorlands fundraising office on 01535 640430 or visit its Facebook page.

There is also an online fundraising page, at justgiving.com/nonatoothill1.

Manorlands supports patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families at the hospice and in the community, across an area covering Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale as well as parts of Bradford.

All services are free to patients and their loved ones, but it costs £9,000 a day to keep the hospice doors open.

Only a small part of the cost is covered by statutory funds.

Most of the funds have to be raised through voluntary donations.