Tony prepares to scale new heights for charity

An audio engineer from Alderley Edge is preparing to climb parts of The Andes next year to raise money for a cancer charity.

Tony Brown, of South Street, will be taking part in the Peru Hiking Challenge next May in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

He will hike the Inca Trail, climbing steep trails all the way to the legendary Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.

Having never done anything like this before, Tony, 45, started his training in May.

Tony needs to raise a minimum of £3700 and has set himself a target of raising £10,000 for Macmillan nurses.

He told me "Two close family members died earlier this year, one from very aggressive throat cancer and the other battled bowel cancer for a few years. A close friend's father has cancer and she herself has had cancer three times so I'm walking to the Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu to help.

"I'm training feverishly. I've been doing weights at home and I walk up The Edge at least twice a day, sometimes four times. I'm also preparing for low-oxygen and altitude sickness by holding my breath for periods whilst walking.

"Fitness training is new to me too. While I wouldn't say I was unfit, I never did anything in the way of keep-fit before."

In preparation for next year's charity trek Tony has recently climbed Cader Idris and Mount Snowdon.

Tony worked in the IT Department at the MEN for 12 years and is now setting out as a self-employed audio engineer/producer.

He has created an arrangement of "Ghost Riders in the Sky" which will be available to download from Friday, 11th November.

Tony said "The idea is to use my cover of this song to raise money for Macmillan.

"Downloaders will be 'on trust' to then go on to www.justgiving.com/tony--brown and donate whatever they see fit. Hopefully there will be enough honest people chipping in to make some money. I'm also making CDs which I am going to ask some of the local shops if they will host them for me."

To make a donation to support Macmillan nurses go to Tony's Justgiving page or visit http://soundcloud.com/wi777ard to download his version 'Ghost Riders in the Sky' (by clicking on the downward facing arrow above the audio track).