TREKKING through vast mountainous terrain may not be everyone's idea of a retirement plan, but for retired Kelly College assistant head teacher, Liz Rowley, trekking for charity has become a new hobby.

Liz, 61, recently returned from Kathmandu in Nepal, where she trekked for eight days to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

She said: 'We trekked through lowlands that got higher and higher. We followed a river valley up and eventually got to an amphitheatre of mountains. It was absolutely stunning and very awe inspiring.

'We were up at 6.30am every morning and got to the camps at around 5 o'clock in the evening. It was very basic but absolutely fantastic.'

The love of trekking became a hobby after Liz celebrated her retirement from Kelly College by trekking in the foothills of the Himalayas for the charity Action Aid.

She said: 'It was an amazing experience. After I'd done the first one, I got hooked on it.'

Mrs Rowley said this trek was more demanding than her first, as it involved climbing up to 4,130 metres.

'I did quite a lot of training before I went,' she said.

'I did a lot of walking, went to the gym and regularly went swimming and cycling. The snow and ice we had made it difficult to train.'

As well as trekking, Liz had a chance to experience other activities along the way.

'We did white water rafting and paragliding in the mountains, there was never a dull moment.

'The people over there were very kind and thoughtful. It was great to experience the different culture and magnificent views.'

From the trek, Mrs Rowley managed to raise £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

She said: 'It was only 14 months since my last trek and I can't keep asking the same people to sponsor me, so I didn't raise as much as I would have liked.

'We did stop off at various charity points on the way up the mountain, to visit the children and donate money.'

Mrs Rowley said she is already planning her next trek: 'I'll maybe do South America next time, but not before next year — I need a rest!'