HAVING just completed the first of six mammoth fundraising challenges, trekking several of the world’s mountains, Claire Lemasurier is back in the gym and training after just a week off.

Claire, from Tavistock and a volunteer for St Luke’s Hospice, spent four days climbing thousands of feet above sea level to reach picturesque Machu Picchu, which she said was ‘absolutely fantastic’.

The trek was the first of six expeditions she aims to complete in a year to raise thousands of pounds for St Luke’s Hospice.

Claire summited the highest peak on day two of her trek in fifth place out of the group of 28, before reaching the spectacular Sun Gate on day four.

‘Day two was the hardest day,’ said Claire. ‘It was a seven hour trek up the side of a mountain and it was really hot. My personal trainer Steve at Peak Fitness did an amazing job of getting me fit for the challenge. Just before Sun Gate there are 51 steps uphill. At home before, Steve got me doing 100 box steps with 17kgs on my back, so when I saw the steps, it wasn’t too bad as it was half the amount of steps and I was carrying half the weight! When we got there it was such an amazing feeling, all the training and hard work was worth it.’

After reaching the finish, the group was given a day off, but instead of resting, Claire and a group of others decided to climb to the summit of Rainbow Mountain — 5,000 metres above sea level.

‘I made some fantastic friends,’ she said. ‘I went on my own and was pretty anxious beforehand as I didn’t know anyone and didn’t know what to expect, but we all really bonded really quickly. We’re meeting up for a reunion in June.’

It’s now back to the gym for Claire as she prepares for her second expedition in August — climbing Mount Elbrus in Russia. Before the end of the year she will also trek to Everest Base Camp, climb Mount Kilimanjaro, cycle from Vietnam to Cambodia and will finish with a trek in Malawi in April 2020.

To keep up to date with Claire’s challenge, visit www.thisgirlcan trek.co.uk or to donate to her cause, visit www.gofundme.com/this-girl-can-trek or put a donation in the collection bucket at the Tavistock Times office.