A PLUCKY lady with mountains to climb has set her sights on the Peruvian highlands and a £4 million children's appeal, writes ANITA HOWELLS.

Retired Herefordshire teacher Heather Phillips has bravely signed up to walk the Inca Trail in Peru after having both knees replaced just four years ago.

The 59-year-old from Luston, who still can't kneel or crouch, has committed herself to a four-day hike through high altitude terrain and a 16-week training programme to get in condition.

Heather, who retired from Burford Primary School where she had taught for about 17 years because of the problems with her knees, is aiming to raise £4,000 for the Three Counties Acorns Children's Hospice Appeal.

"Now I have retired I have got time to do things like this. I was almost in a wheel chair before I had my knees done and I was really struggling to walk. Peru is a once in a lifetime trip and I am really excited," she said.

The ambitious lady, the envy of her eldest son David, 32, a member of Longtown Mountain Rescue, will first scale Snowdon with him and brother Peter, 30, in September. She flies out to Peru on October 26 with a group of walkers, all raising money for the planned new hospice in Worcester, which is to provide respite care for life-limited children in the three counties from 2004.

Heather expects to spend three days acclimatising and exploring Cusco, the ancient Inca capital.

Walking will get steadily tougher and camping will be a challenge, but it will all seem worth it when she steps through the Sun Gate and catches her first glimpse of the mystical city of Machu Picchu at the end of the Inca trail.

She had to raise a minimum of £2,500 in sponsorship to secure her place and between last September and March has organised a classical concert, a quiz, a French wine and food tasting and a ladies lunch. There may even be a musical event this autumn.

The walk is the first of three major international challenges organised by Acorns to help the charity reach its £4 million fundraising target.

Next February fundraisers will swim with dolphins and cycle 450 miles across Mexico alongside Olympic gold medal winner Chris Boardman. In the July, a six-day trek is planned from the active Mount Hekla in Iceland.

"International Challenges raise a tremendous amount of money for the charity each year," said Acorns' challenge co-ordinator, Emily Henton.

l Anyone who would like to sponsor Heather can contact her on 01568 615788. For further information about the international challenges contact Emily Henton on 0121 248 4802.