AN 81-year-old Bingley woman is gearing up for her latest adventure - a trek through the wilds of a Bornean jungle - to raise money for a Bradford hospice.
Retired nurse Liz Madden will set off today (May 20) for the challenge which will see her hike through the jungle and over hills, sleep in hammocks under the stars, and learn survival skills.
It is not the first time the octogenarian has donned her boots for the charity Marie Curie.
She has embared on five previous expeditions across the globe, raising £23,500 since taking on the Inca Trail in 2014 when she was 73.
Liz said: “I think this will be a tough one as there’s a lot of walking with all our gear plus hammock, mosquito net, sleeping bag and three to four litres of water. It is a heavy load.
“And then there’s the mosquitos, two types of leeches, sand flies and so forth. We’ll be learning some bushcraft and we are foraging for our own food including grubs, frogs which we are going to barbecue, and greens.
“Everyone tends to support each other and there are eight of us going from Bradford, some of whom I’ve done treks with before and they’ve become good friends. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Liz was a district nurse in Bradford for 25 years, working in Windhill, Eccleshill, Baildon and Barkerend.
She has supported and raised funds for Marie Curie for many years as her mother, Ruby Wood, received care in a Marie Curie hospice on three separate occasions.
Liz started her charity jaunts nine years ago and has completed treks in Machu Picchu, Peru; Sri Lanka culminating in Adam's Peak during the night; the Costa Rica Trek; Nepal - the Helambu Trek and the Icelandic Highlands - the Laugavegur Trail.
Liz has been in training for the latest challenge with various walks in places including Hadrian’s Wall, the Limestone Way in Derbyshire, the Yorkshire Dalesway and the Welcome Way.
Liz added: “I just enjoy doing things really. I enjoy sport particularly crown green bowls, table tennis and golf.
“I also regularly do collections for Marie Curie. It’s always so lovely the way people react. I get so many wonderful comments from people who have had experience of the Bradford hospice, and how fantastic the nurses are, they’re so warm and caring.
“The Marie Curie nurses go the extra mile for their patients.”
For details on fundraising challenges including treks, visit mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved
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