Halstead: Student Hannah Birch to trek to Machu Picchu

Hannah Birch, 21, is a final-year politics, English literature, and education student.

She is about to embark on an expedition in Peru to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The travel lover is a student at Newcastle University and is joining a group of 12 students as they embark on a 50-mile trek to the historic hill-top city of Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is one of the seven new wonders of the world.

The Incan citadel is located high in the Andes Mountains and was built in the 15th Century.

Travel lover - Hannah Birch on a trip (Image: Hannah Birch)

The adventure will start on August 30 when the group land in Cusco, Peru.

Hannah said: “I am quite nervous. I have done the Duke of Edinburgh Award, but this is the biggest thing I’ve done.

“I will have to put in a lot of training over the next few months.

“It’s such an amazing cause. It also gives me an opportunity to do something incredible.

Incredible - Machu Picchu in Peru (Image: Pixabay)

“I think it’s important to make the most of life. I spent a semester in Singapore - living life to the fullest is important.”

In her spare time, Hannah also volunteers to help refugee charity Care for Calais.

The Machu Picchu expedition will see her hiking for six days and spend some nights camping.

She is hoping to raise £4,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Sunset - Hannah Birch in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (Image: Hannah Birch)

She said: “I think it’s an incredible cause, it really is. You must put yourself in that situation - if you were going through the unimaginable or knew someone in that situation.

“You would want them to have that extra bit of support.

“The charity is not just for teenagers, it’s for their families as well. They give vital support.”

To donate, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/hannah-birch8.