Firstly, a huge thanks for visiting my Justgiving page, and I really hope you can dig deep to help meet my target and raise money for these two fantastic charities (literally anything is a huge help)!

I will be trekking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in October 2017 to raise money for Autistica and Hope and Homes for Children with Deutsche Bank. This will involve 6-8 hours of trekking per day over the course of 5 days, at altitudes of up to 4,600 meters.

I've decided to fund the entire trip myself- no donations made on this site will go towards paying for the trek, the trip or anything to cover personal costs; it's all going directly to charity.

Additionally, Deutsche Bank will match all donations made through my Justgiving page, so all contributions are highly appreciated and will go a long way towards the two charities.

It's a tough climate out there for everyone currently and I know it's hard for people to find spare cash, but here's a reference of what your donations can achieve and in some cases just by giving up a small luxury that we are fortunate enough to have:

(One Pint £5)- In Africa, Hopes and Homes for Children work to close orphanages and ensure that vulnerable families have the resources they need to stay together. Whilst we may take shoes for granted, in countries like Rwanda, proper footwear can have a bearing on a child's whole life. A decent pair of shoes can allow a child to attend school and avoid cuts and infections. This is a simple gift but it can mean so much.

(Nandos with a drink £15)- Poverty is one of the main reasons that children are placed in orphanages and denied the love and attention they need to thrive. In many of the countries where they work, winters are very cold but families struggle to afford hats and coats for their children. This gift could make sure that children have the clothes they need to keep warm and cost.

(Cinema with popcorn and a drink £20)- Could fund Autistica to trial an hour's therapy to help an autistic child with the anxiety and depression that is paralysing their life.

(A video game/new item of clothing £40)- Many children have been left in an orphanage because they have special needs; others develop special needs as a result of the neglect they have suffered in orphanage care. This gift could fund a physiotherapy session to help a child learn to stretch, sit, walk and sometimes, to discover how to move their arms and legs for the first time.

(A night out in London £50)- Could allow Autistica to recruit two families into a cutting edge trial in Autism that will save lives.

And your combined donations:

£100- Could pay for Christmas celebrations in a small family home. Hope and Homes for Children develop 'Small Family Homes' to create a loving family environment for children who cannot be reunited with their families. This gift could help provide a magical Christmas for children who have left institutional care.

£250- Foster parents give their homes and their love to children who have been rescued from loveless orphanages. Each foster family is specially selected, trained and supported to ensure they can give a child all the care and nurturing he or she will need. This gift could allow Hope and Homes for Children to recruit and train a new foster family to care for a child.