Not Just Travel aims to raise £10k with Inca Trail challenge

A team from Not Just Travel aims to raise £10,000 for charity by completing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru this autumn (September 29-October 9).

Twenty of its consultants and corporate team members will take part in the “Breast Trek Ever” with funds raised going to good causes, including breast cancer charity Pink Ribbon Foundation.

The foundation was chosen in honour of one of NJT’s consultants, Rachael Coyne, who has twice survived breast cancer while running her successful travel business with husband Colman.

The 25-mile trek is being undertaken with Not Just Travel’s key trade partner, G Adventures.

Steve Witt, co-founder of Not Just Travel, said: “This trek will be positively life-changing for so many reasons. The sense of community, camaraderie, accomplishment, plus the joy in knowing you are raising so much money for an incredible charity, is immeasurable.

“Our consultants are a close-knit team who are helpful and incredibly supportive to each other; this challenge will only bring them closer.”

Witt said he completed the trek several years ago and recalled the “innate sense of peace” after completing the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“G Adventures has, as always, been incredible to work with and we have organised a fantastic trip which is going to transform the lives, not only of our consultants, but also the women who receive the care and support of the Pink Ribbon Foundation,” added Witt.

Not Just Travel is providing the trekkers with fitness and training tips, plus marketing and social media strategies to tell their story for fundraising and promote the destination to their customers.

Katie Bunting, global purpose specialist at G Adventures, said: “It is a pleasure to host so many travel consultants on this extraordinary fundraising challenge to Peru.

“At G Adventures, we are all about community, so we’re delighted to support such an important cause and bring the group together to make a positive difference. The experience will be transformational for everyone involved.”

Lisa Allen, head of corporate partnerships, fundraising, events and PR at the Pink Ribbon Foundation, added: “As a charity with very little infrastructure, a high proportion of the funds raised goes directly, as grants to many UK charities concerned with breast cancer.

“We’ve collaborated with Not Just Travel for many months and so we know that the passion and enthusiasm of their consultants will make this initiative a huge success.”

Not Just Travel consultant Sam Cummings commented: “I am so excited as I have never been to anywhere in South America and Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail have long been trips I’ve wanted to experience.

“Many of my customers want to go and so to be able to share my trip first-hand and be able to bring it to life for other people will be a great boost to my business.

“I have had friends and family affected by breast cancer and love that I can combine doing something I’ve always wanted to do with raising money for a great cause.”