THE daughter of one of Ludlow's best-known youth leaders has been inspired to climb mountains to help fight an illness that has afflicted her mother.

Graphic designer Joanne Entecott (right) is trying to raise sponsorship for a charity trek next year 14,000 feet up in the mountains of Peru.

The trek is being arranged through the medical charity Action Research, which funds more than 120 projects into a wide range of illnesses and conditions.

Joanne, daughter of Ludlow's St John Ambulance badgers and cadet leader Linda Entecott, explained: "Since my mother was diagnosed with leukaemia, I've wanted to do something like this to help her and other people in a similar situation."

Her expedition next May begins at 7,200 feet above sea level and follows the ancient Inca Trail over three days to the spectacular ruined city of Machu Picchu.

Joanne, aged 24, is now starting to raise the minimum £2,500 sponsorship needed to go on the trek.

"The people in my street have been brilliant. They've promised me £100 already so there is only another £2,400 to go."

She expects her campaign to begin in earnest once she has passed the £250 mark for a non-refundable deposit.

She also has to find good quality walking boots and an all-season sleeping bag, and walking poles are recommended for terrain that includes lots of steps.

Action Research said costs were kept to a minimum and at least 60 per cent of the sponsorship money went directly to the charity.

If you want to help Joanne, you can contact her at PO Box 33, Ludlow, SY8 4ZZ.