South American trek for local rescue charity (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

South American trek for local rescue charity

MOUNTAINEER Peter Collins returned from a hazardous trek through the volcanic peaks of Ecuador just days before the Boxing Day tsunami struck.

So it seems appropriate the Cirencester businessman was raising money for the Gloucester-based charity SARAID (Search and Rescue Assistance in Disasters), which is currently helping thousands of tsunami victims left homeless in Sri Lanka.

The 36-year-old said: "I think raising awareness for SARAID was important and I hope we've done them the power of good. We wanted to raise £10,000, but it's just as important they get recognition for the work they do."

Peter, a former tree surgeon who now runs an adventure and extreme sports photographic agency in London Road, led an expedition of five men through the treacherous mountains of the Ecuadorian Andes in December.

His ambition was to climb the five peaks of Cotopaxi, a pioneering trek across a mountain range yet to be conquered on foot. Temperatures were at times well below freezing, and some of his team suffered from altitude sickness.

He said: "Three of us got within 160 metres of the Cotopaxi summit, but there had been five metres of snow and the weather wouldn't consolidate.

"It was very disappointing because there was a high risk of avalanche and we couldn't commit to the last bit.

"It was snowing all the time and it made for quite bad conditions in the end."

Peter's team included: Stuart McCinnes, 18, from Minety, Simon Ager, 23, from the Malmesbury area, David Paull, 44, from Mitcheldean, and Stefan Hopkins, 38, the director of SARAID and the owner of Assured Mobility in Cirencester.

They conquered the peaks of South Ruminahui, Central Ruminahui and Tambopaxi, but both North Ruminahui and Cotopaxi were beyond their reach.

The highest of the mountains stands at 19,388 ft and all of them are above 12,000 ft.

Peter added: "We arrived back on December 23 and then it was Christmas and the tsunami happened. SARAID went to Sri Lanka straight away with a water purification plant which can process water for thousands of people.

"Raising awareness for SARAID has done them a really good turn because they are quite a small charity, and we had a lot of fun in the mean time.

"It was a successful trip and we got to see parts of a beautiful country which other people won't ever see."

To make donation to SARAID, which is staffed entirely by volunteers and funded solely by public support, visit www.saraid.co.uk

To find out more about Peter's photographic agency and the 'Mountain of Moonlight' (Cotopaxi in Quechuan) trail he is planning to offer as an adventure holiday, visit www.petercollinsassociates.com or call 01286 657415.