REVEREND Willie McPherson recalls his first trip to Peru as if it were yesterday.

Intense poverty and guerilla warfare were rife against the backdrop of the awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest.

Faced with the horror of thousands of children under the age of 12 living on the streets, the Clydebank preacher knew he had to help.

His experience prompted an attempt in 2001 at the seemingly impossible - sail a former Greenock ferry 9000 miles from Finnieston to the jungle city of Iquitos.

The ship, the Amazon Hope, has helped more than 100,000 people along the Amazon river. But it is now falling into disrepair.

And Willie, 48, has taken the challenge again - sailing the new custom-built Amazon Hope 2 more than 2000 miles up the river to aid her sister ship.

His incredible trip has been filmed for an eight-part documentary - Amazon Heartbeat - to be shown on STV.

Rev Willie said: "If I was an artist I could paint a clear picture of those first children I saw in 1990. The memory of their faces has stayed with me.

"I knew at the time I would have to come back and do something, anything, to help. Twelve friends offered to fund me for four years if I promised to raise £1million a year for Peru. That was 18 years ago."

The original Amazon Hope began as a passenger ferry - a bid to create a self-sustaining charitable business giving local people the chance to earn their own living.

But it soon became clear medical treatment was just as needed and the idea for Amazon Hope was born.

Horror is commonplace in Peru. Two little girls from Lima were kidnapped for their corneas and returned to their family blind.

Children too small to run from predators turn to prostitution to fund their hand to mouth existence.

With funding from charity The Vine Trust, the volunteers and medical staff on board the Amazon Hope give health care to these children.

They treat people suffering everything from the most minor ailments to malaria, alligators and bites from blood-sucking fish.

Donated by BAE Systems, Amazon Hope 2 is a purpose-built medical ship accommodating eight-strong medical teams and serving up to 250 patients a day.

The preacher, who left full-time ministry in 2003, firmly believes that anyone - regardless of age or class - can make a difference.

He said: "When I grew up the idea of going to the Amazon was an impossible dream but nowadays even the most ordinary person has the opportunity make a difference to help alleviate poverty."

Alex McColl, the BAFTA award-winning director of Amazon Heartbeat, said: "There was a pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit among the crew, which was really crucial to make the film a success.

"We are immensely proud of this film and it is probably the most ambitious series to come out of Scotland."