On the 1st October 2010 I completed the Machu Picchu Trek in Peru to raise money for CRY and awareness of SADS – but most importantly in the memory of my sister Debbie Suau-Marcus (below) who died of SADS at age 24.

Debbie went to sleep one night and never woke up. She left behind her 3 and a half year-old little boy, Joshie, who was in the house when she died and who survived 3 days on his own before her body was found.

During my fundraising for the trek I found most people hadn’t heard of SADS, so spreading the word became almost as important as raising money.

Completing the trek was without a doubt one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. With altitudes of up to 4645m above sea level everyone was affected by sickness, headaches and breathlessness with some people in our group requiring oxygen.

It was all worth it for the amazing views, achievement and of course the photographs!

In total with gift aid I’ve raised over £3,000.

Claire Suau-Marcus

http://www.justgiving.com/clairegoldsack