'˜Nan's necklace is coming to China'

Sophie, aged 22, will be walking the 60km course in October in memory of her nan, Jeanne Wheeler, in a bid to raise £2,500 for essential research into heart disease.

Sophie, who works as a carer for Home Instead Senior Care, said: “I decided to take part because my nan suffered from heart problems from the day she was born.

“I am doing this in her memory. Even though we lost her to another complication, she originally went into hospital to have surgery on her heart, “I was unfortunately too young to understand what was happening.

“I was nine years old when we lost her, but she is always in my memory.

“For my 21st birthday, my mum gave me my nan’s necklace which I wear daily in her memory.

“I intend to do this walk while wearing her necklace and with the support of my wonderful family and my partner, Matthew Gill.”

Sophie will be posting updates of the event on her JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/Sophie-Hamber1/