INTREPID Chris Willcox is leaving his luxuries behind to live in a shelter he will make himself in Chile.

The 18-year-old will set off for the south American country in January next year as part of a Raleigh International expedition, and return in April.

Chris, of Kingston Road, High Wycombe, raised the money for the trip through a sponsored Trek Challenge on Saturday in Richmond Park, London. He and his friends Peter Crotty and Andrew Shirley walked 152 kilometres between them in the sweltering heat.

"It was tough," said Chris. "It was so hot and afterwards I suffered from heat exhaustion. I got on the rehydration sachets as soon as I'd finished."

Chris, a former John Hampden Grammar School pupil in High Wycombe, has now raised £3,200 to take the Raleigh International challenge.

He said: "When I saw this information about the trip I thought it was the ideal thing for me.

"I wanted to have a break from my studies, but also I have given money for charities before but this gave me the chance to actually do something myself."

Chris, along with other volunteers, will be putting up buildings and working to help the community in southern Chile.