Marie Sanders is a woman with a focus on walking for hundreds of miles to raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer's Society.

The 46-year-old manager of Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care in Fakenham is taking on four 100km walks for the cause.

Last year she completed two ultra challenges walking from London to Brighton and covering the same 100km (62.7 miles) distance along the Thames from Putney Bridge to Henley. Both events took 27 hours to complete and she raised more than £1,000.

Marie has a personal reason for getting involved in such testing feats of endurance. Her father, who is 78, has dementia and the father of a colleague has Alzheimer's.

Scrivens has chosen Alzheimer's Society as its principal charity of the year with branches around the country pledging their support. Marie, who has worked for the company for 15 years, is perhaps going the furthest in her commitment to the cause.

'It all started when I did a 10 walk for Alzheimer's in 2013,' Marie said. 'It took me just over an hour to do and I thought I could do something more challenging. I found out about the 100k ultra challenges and decided to give them a go.

'They are organised events with walkers raising money for their own charities. I've met some interesting people and seen different parts of the country along the way but it is tough going at times. It's said 20 per cent of the walks are down to fitness and 80 per cent is about mental strength.'

Marie is training hard and raising sponsorship for the four walks starting with a London to Brighton walk in May. She has to raise £500 per walk to take part.

To sponsor her, click here.