A CHARITY trek in Peru to raise funds for research into heart disease was made all the more poignant by an unexpected family illness for two women from York.

Hazel Smith, 36, of Tadcaster, and Deana Philpott, 36, of Copmanthorpe, who both work at Quantum estate agency in Walmgate, walked the Inca Trail in Peru to Machu Picchu, the “lost city of the Incas”.

The intrepid duo were part of a 20-strong group of people from across the country who have so far raised £56,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

But for Hazel, the trip almost did not happen, as the day before they were due to fly out her sister, Adele Barlow, who also works at Quantum, was taken into hospital with heart problems.

Hazel said: “Adele’s illness really brought home to me just how important it is to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

“She is only 34 and had had no problems before this and the doctors still don’t know what caused it. It was very much out of the blue and hopefully it’s just been a viral thing, but they are not sure. “Thankfully she’s on the mend now, but she’s still not well enough to be back at work.”

Hazel said she was glad she made the decision to carry on with the trip which was gruelling, but something she was proud to have completed.

She said: “The terrain was so up and down that we walked for eight hours a day as part of a full-on trek.

“The weather and scenery were very varied. We walked into the clouds and had dry heat, but also hail storms and walking through rain forests. And the temperature dropped right down at night. It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing and I’m so glad we went.”