It sounded like a good idea in the beginning, but when four nurses from the Douglas MacMillan Hospice in Blurton decided to do the Inca Trail in Peru for charity, they couldn't have imagined what a roller coaster journey it would be.

Jeanette McCartney, Joy Mulliner, Angela Thorneycroft and Diane Riley needed a way to raise money for their Hospice at Home service, and they settled on the Inca Trail - a tough 10 day, high altitude trek.

BBC Radio Stoke's Breakfast Show heard of their plight and teamed them up with the programme's fitness expert, Paul Beswick.

Weekly updates on the show followed their gruelling training and progress. They flew out last month, feeling physically fit, but the weather and altitude (between 2,000m and 4,000m) wasn't something they could prepare for.

The day started at 4am when the team were woken with a cup of local tea (illegal in the UK!) and a bowl of water to wash in... Then the 10 hour day of walking began.

Within the first two days, Diane became very ill with altitude sickness and had to be moved to a lower base camp where she was given a drip.

This setback would have divided most teams, but the Dougie Mac girls stayed together, and took it in turns to look after their friend and colleauge.

Looking back on the incident, Angela said

"I think nurses tend to worry more about these situations, but we were seriously terrified that she might not pull through".

Luckily, things improved and the girls continued.

The campsite stood in the shadow of the mountain

They slept in tents most nights, but on their one evening of luxury - in a barn - they had visitors in the form of two scorpions.

Jeanette managed to dispose of one on the bedroom wall, whilst Joy squashed the other in her bed without even realising!

When you're tired, it seems, you can sleep through anything!

Friends and family left behind in the UK had no contact with the fabulous four until the trek was over.

The local phone systems weren't working properly, and the girls were concerned that speaking to loved ones back home and hearing that friendly voice would prove to be too much of a drain on their already heightened emotions.

Diane, Angela, Joy and Jeanette embarked on the adventure as good friends, but they've returned with even stronger bonds.

As Jeanette told us: "We laughed as much as we cried, and now, these three probably know more about me than my husband!"

The team are already planning their next fundraising adventure, but have collected £15,500 from this trip.

It's hoped that this figure will reach £20,000 through extra donations before Christmas.

If you'd like to pledge some cash, please call the hospice on 01782 344300.