A weekly newspaper editor will miss his first FA Cup Final in years after deciding to take on an overseas charity trek in memory of his wife.

Geoff Martin, left, from Archant London’s Hampstead & Highgate Express has joined a team of trekkers travelling to Machu Picchu in Peru to raise funds for Hampstead Hospice, after his wife Sue died there in 2009.

He aims to complete the Inca Trail challenge and between them the team hopes to raise more than £40,000 for the hospice.

Geoff headed out to Peru to start the trek last Thursday and will be more than 6,000 miles away rather than in Wembley Stadium when the FA Cup Final kicks off on 14 May.

He said: “Normally on Cup Final day I’d be making my way to Wembley Stadium, but this year I hope to be looking at another wonder of the world – Machu Picchu.

“Climbing through the jungle to more than 12,000 feet is a frightening prospect. So far I’ve just about managed Highgate West Hill and Alexandra Palace. Even then I took the bus home.

“Like everyone on the trek, I have a very special reason for wanting to raise money for the Hampstead Hospice.”

To sponsor Geoff, visit justgiving.com.