PiGs Inca Trail team enters final preparations for Peru challenge

Final preparations are underway for the PiGs Charity of the Year Inca Trail Challenge, Machu PiGchu, with the team set to fly out to Peru on 2 October.

The team of 12 intrepid explorers from the glazing industry will spend two days acclimatising to the altitude before starting the five-day trek along the Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu.

The team includes five members of the team who took on Kilimanjaro in 2024, including PiGs’ very own STY Master Sarah Ball, with Andy Ball, Andrew Charlesworth, Gareth Green and Gareth Jones.

Joining the team for this challenge are: Emi Arnault, Sion Buckley, Gemma Diratzonian, Julie Holmes, Sarah Hitchins, Sam Nuckey and Dan Powell, who have all been putting in the preparation ahead of what promises to be a demanding challenge.

For many of the team, the build-up has included training days and team challenges, helping them prepare not only physically but also as a group.

Importantly, every member of the team has funded their own place and trip, meaning that all money raised through the challenge goes directly to PiGs Charity of the Year, Harry’s Pals.

Sarah Ball said: “It’s a big challenge and as a team it feels like we are well prepared, as many of us have joined together for team challenges in the run-up to the main event.

“For me, this will be the last big charity challenge I take on. Over the last 11 years I’ve trekked the Inca Trail, was part of the GM Fundraising women’s only Paddle 2 Pedal team, cycled from Norther Spain to Germany on the Loneliest Road and summited Kilimanjaro.

“To come full circle and retrace my steps on the Inca Trail feels very apt. It’s going to be a tough challenge but doing it alongside this team and for Harry’s Pals makes it a very special one.”

With the final weeks of fundraising now underway, Sarah added: “We still have quite a long way to go with fundraising, so any donations to the PiGs Charity of the Year, Harry’s Pals, would be very welcome.”

The team will head to Peru on 2 October, with two days of acclimatisation before beginning the trail for real.

And before they leave, STY News will be putting the spotlight on every member of the team.

The next edition of STY News will feature a special Inca Trail edition, giving readers the chance to find out more about the 12 challengers, what motivated them to take on the challenge and how their preparations are going ahead of the big departure.

Support the PiGs Inca Trail Challenge at: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/pigsincatrail