A former jobless 30-year-old, heading up a waiting team at a Stratford restaurant, has raised nearly �4,000 scaling the Inka trail in Peru to help others unemployed.

Conor Hughes was unemployed for seven months after graduating from university and disillusioned about his future until he was offered a job as shift leader for the waiting team at T.G.I. Friday’s, an American restaurant chain inside the Westfield shopping centre. His expereince of working as a waiter during his studies helped him land the role.

He was nominated to join the company’s CEO Karen Forrester to scale Machu Pichu to raise funds for Springboard, a youth unemployment charity dedicated to helping young people find a future in the hospitality sector.

In a message from Peru Conor Conor told the Recorder: “I’m having an amazing time. This is a once in a life time expereince I never thought I would get.

“The trek is hard work, but worth it for the incredible views and knowing that we’re helping to raise money for Springboard and the unemployed, a worthwhile cause close to my heart.”

The pair completed their ten day trek on Sunday (November 4).

Visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/KarensFridaysFamily to sponsor Karen and Conor.