A DEVON teaching assistant has raised more than £500 for Alzheimer's Research.

Amanda Kerslake, from Willand in Devon, wanted to to take part in the charity's new fundraising initiative Running Down Dementia, which challenges participants to run 100km over the summer and raise £100.

The busy mum-of-two works as a teaching assistant, but has managed to run three times a week to get to her goal.

She has now run nearly 140km and said she was surprised to see the generosity of others as she hit £506 on her fundraising page after sharing her reasons for undertaking the challenge.

The 42-year-old's grandma Alice Fuery died in 2008 in her 70s after living with dementia for years She said: “My grandma had Parkinson’s for 17 years. My grandma was lovely, I adored her. She was a fiery red-haired Irish woman, who was very opinionated.

“My grandad didn’t want her to go into a home but she did occasionally for respite care when he struggled to cope. He fought with his every breath for her and he’s been lost without her since.

“They lived together in Huddersfield and until she retired she worked in textiles factories. We have a very big family and she loved all her grandkids.

“When I saw the challenge I just had to do it. I’ve never done a charity fundraiser before and I was surprised to see just how generous the people I know are. I aimed to raise £100 but the total just seemed to keep rising.

“It’s been hard work but I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s a great way to get fit while doing something amazing for charity.”

Alzheimer's Research UK's Running Down Dementia was launched in May with Park Run UK, which offers free, timed 5km runs across the UK, as the organisation’s charity partner.

Kenneth Foreman, sporting events manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Amanda has shown an incredible effort in fundraising through Running Down Dementia.

“There are 850,000 with dementia in the UK, including 14,000 in Devon. Alzheimer’s Research UK is funding the most promising research into dementia, which would not be possible without supporters like Amanda.

“It would be wonderful if others could join Amanda in the summer challenge.”

To give to Amanda’s fundraising page go to https://running-down-dementia.everydayhero.com/uk/amanda-13.