A mother of one is set to take on a 20,000-mile trek to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Karen Perry has set a goal to walk around the entire coast of Britain and Ireland and is determined not to come home until she has completed the challenge.

Hoping to raise £100,000 for the charity, she said: “I am now ready to embark upon the adventure of a lifetime; a continuous walk circumnavigating the 19,000 of the British and Irish coastlines, and 20 of the largest islands. A feat never achieved by a woman, least of all by one of the wrong side of 50!

“I have previously raised over £6,000 for Alzheimer’s by running a marathon and walking the length of Britain. I am devoting the next four years of my life, leaving family and friends and my cat Bilbo behind me to raise a target of £100,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.”

The 53-year-old’s journey will start on 14 January at Pennard Primary School before following the Wales Coast Path to Fishguard.

Ms Perry has planned her route using Google Maps and walking groups for local knowledge and plans to walk 15 miles a day for seven days before taking a rest day.

Her husband will drive a camper van to meet her every six weeks, giving her somewhere to sleep and a place to rest her big rucksack.

Ms Perry said: “Dementia has had a profound impact on our family. During the last 10 years we have lost two very dear family members. My mother in law who succumbed to the effects of vascular dementia in a matter of months, and my father in law who deteriorated to such an extent both mentally and physically that ultimately, he couldn’t even recognise family members.”

To donate to Ms Perry’s JustGiving page, click here.