AFTER a gruelling 10 day charity trek through the Peruvian mountains, a Barry woman lit a candle at Machu Picchu in memory of her inspirational mum who had dreamed of visiting the mysterious lost city.

Charlie Brown, 32, from Highlight Park, decided to take on the Inca Trail challenge, raising money for Pancreatic Cancer Research and fulfilling one of her mother’s ambitions.

Charlie’s mum Shirley Bassett died at the age of 62, just weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Having travelled the world in the years previous, Shirley had always wanted to visit Machu Picchu.

“My mum was a truly amazing person and an inspiration to those around her,” said mum-of-two Charlie, “And she was at the forefront of my thoughts during the whole trip.

“She travelled the world including tours of Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Iceland and the UK.

“After we lost my dad in 1997 to a fatal heart attack my mum travelled alone as she felt that she was doing it for both of them, she knew that my dad wouldn’t have wanted her to give up on her dreams.”

Charlie’s Inca trek started with two and a half days to acclimatise in Cusco, arriving four days later at the sun gate of Machu Picchu to watch the sun rise.

Days two and three were the toughest with a very steep ascent and a very steep descent.

Charlie said: “We had unbelievable views along the way and it was awesome watching our highest point of 4200m get closer.

“We all told each other our stories and what this meant to us. We all encouraged each other right from the start, if someone was struggling we encouraged them to carry on and reminded them the reason we were here. We were going to complete the challenge united as a team.

“Mum has been my inspiration throughout this challenge. Mum always wanted to see Machu Picchu and I was determined to make my mum proud.

“When I felt tired I just wished that my mum was there with me so we could enjoy the challenge of reaching Macchu Picchu together.

“Meal times were always fun to see what our cooks had cooked for us. They only had the use of a two burner stove with gas bottle and they even made a cake at the top of a mountain.

“Before we left Cusco on our final day of acclimatisation I bought a candle outside of the church and lit it in memory of mum when I reached Dead Woman's Pass which was the highest point of 4200m.

“It was lit again at the sun gate to Machu Picchu.”

As well experiencing Machu Picchu in all its wonder, Charlie also raised an amazing £3,268 for charity.

“I would love to raise more as the charity’s work is amazing,” she said. “I’d also love to raise awareness of this silent killer disease.

“I don't want other people out there to go through what I've been through which is why I strongly believe in more research being done to diagnose pancreatic cancer earlier and prolonging lives for longer."

If you would like to donate visit www.justgiving.com/charlotte-brown16