A RETIRED nurse who proved age is no barrier by successfully tackling the Inca Trail in Peru at the age of 73, raising more than £5,000 for charity, is getting set for her next challenge.

Liz Madden was so inspired by her South American adventure last year, in which a team of 17 fundraisers from Bradford and Cardiff raised £160,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, that she is now raising money to go trekking in Sri Lanka for its hospice in Maudsley Street.

Mrs Madden, of Bailey Hills Road, Bingley, said the epic 26-mile trek to reach Machu Picchu, the mysterious lost city of the Incas, was a lifetime’s experience scaling peaks such as the 4,200m Dead Woman’s Pass, but it had spurred her on to do more for the charity.

She was also the oldest team member by almost ten years on the Inca Trail challenge.

"At the time I thought the Inca Trail was the toughest and best thing I've ever attempted and achieved in my life, it was amazing but I'm up for more," said Mrs Madden, who enjoys playing golf.

"I will be 74 when I do the Sri Lanka challenge but I'll be fit for it. I need to raise £3,250 this time so am looking for as much sponsorship as I can get and for anyone with fundraising ideas who would like to help."

Mrs Madden, who was a district nurse across Bradford for 25 years, working in Eccleshill, Baildon and Barkerend, has supported and collected for Marie Curie for many years, as her mother, Ruby Wood, received care in a Marie Curie hospice on three separate occasions.

Staff at the Hare & Hounds pub in Heaton have already pledged their support by shaving off their hair and others are planning to dye their hair blue and yellow - the charity's colours.

The Sri Lanka trip will be from November 6 to November 13 and includes five days of trekking through jungle, forest trails, small villages and ancient cities.

Anyone wanting to take part has to be aged 18, pay a £250 registration fee and raise £3,300 sponsorship.

To find out more about joining the Bradford team should visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/charity-events/overseas-challenges/sri-lanka-trek or call the Marie Curie's events team on 0845 052 4184.

Donations can also be made via Mrs Madden’s Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/liz-Mad001.

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