A COOK is swapping spoons for walking sticks as she prepares for an adventure of a life time trekking in Peru.

Shirley Shaw, 59, who is the school meals cook supervisor at St Andrew's School, Ramsbottom, will fulfil her life-long dream when she spends four days climbing the Andes.

But the nine-day trip, which will also mean two days acclimatising to the high altitude in Cusco and the Urubamba river valley, before setting off on the Inca trail, is more than a personal quest.

Shirley, who lives in Whalley Road, Shuttleworth, had to raise £3,000 to take part in the trek with the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity.

She exceeded this total by more than £1,000 and will is flying out on Thursday, May 24, to begin her adventure.

Shirley, who is married to Peter, 59, has been helped by family, friends and St Andrew's School, over the past 12 months to raise the money.

A major fund-raising event was St Andrew's leavers' show last year, which brought in £1,021.

Shirley said: "I can't wait now and I am really trying to keep my feet on the ground.

"It's a big thing in my life, it's something I never imagined I would ever do."

Shirley has been training for the trek by climbing Holcombe Hill and working out in the gym.

She is taking gifts for local school children with her, including a poster of Ramsbottom, created by the children of St Andrews's and she is hoping to bring something back to show them.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more taking on a charity challenge can contact Marie Curie Cancer Care on 0161 2552809 or 07787574829.