A former restaurateur is preparing to saddle up for an adventurous trip to raise funds to help teenagers hit by cancer.

Vikki Slee is joining other supporters of the Teenage Cancer Trust, including her friend Cherry Christopher, in a horse trek across the Andes from Argentina to Chile.

The trek crosses the spine of the Andes and follows a route sometimes referred to as the Cochamo Trail, the legendary pioneering route once used by outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

The trip takes place next year from February 15 to 25 and each participant must raise £2,500 by December for the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity which funds the capital costs for specialist cancer units for teenagers.

The units allow patients to mix with their peers, rather than be treated with children or older people.

This helps to create the kind of atmosphere in which young cancer sufferers can share anxieties. Each unit costs £750,000 to £1 million.

Vikki, of Pool-in-Wharfedale, and Cherry, of Low Moor, Bradford, have started fundraising, having completed the Three Peaks walk this year.

They have organised a dinner dance and auction at The Cut Waterside Restaurant in Wharf Street, Shipley, which takes place on Saturday, November 25, from 7pm. Tickets costs £45. Vikki, who owned the restaurant for four years until last December, has persuaded the new owners to let her use it for free. Staff have agreed to work for free.

Vikki became involved after being persuaded by Cherry, a keen horsewoman.

"She got me going and we did the Three Peaks and that set me off," said Vikki. "And when you look at the charity's website it is hard to ignore. I am a bit of a novice horse rider but I will have to learn very quickly."

To book a ticket for the dinner dance telephone The Cut on 01274 594444 or e-mail: slikkiv@hotmail.co.uk.

Cheques should be made payable to Teenage Cancer Trust.

e-mail: claire.lomax@bradford.newsquest.co.uk