AN AMBITIOUS walker from Petersfield is training to walk 500km in memory of her grandfather, who died following a seven year battle with Vascular Dementia.

Mother-of-two and stepmother-of-three Hailey Shearman is taking on five challenges for the Alzheimer’s Society.

It comes after her grandfather, Alan Shearman, died in July aged 87.

Hailey (36), said: “It’s something that started about a year ago. I’m a fitness instructor so I have had a keen interest in health and fitness for a while now.

“A friend of mine invited me to go walking with her.”

From that, Hailey, with her friend Wendy Pettitt, decided to take on a 100km walk around the Isle of Wight. That inspired the pair to complete five walking challenges in 2018.

“I wanted to fundraise for a charity that was close to my heart,” Hailey added.

“My grandfather at the time was suffering with dementia and sadly we lost him in July. It seemed fitting to dedicate my fundraising efforts to his memory.

“I suspect he would be very proud. He always used to tell us as his grandchildren to walk – don’t run. We would always be charging around the house.

So our team name is ‘Walk, don’t run’.” The challenges include the Isle of Wight Challenge, London to Brighton, The Jurassic Coast and the South Downs Way which includes two challenges – Race to the King and the South Coast Challenge.

Put together, that totals almost 500km. “It’s quite nerve racking,” Hailey added.

“Taking on the Isle of Wight challenge was enormous. I had never done anything like that before. It was a huge test of endurance.”

But Hailey knows it will all be worthwhile as she aims to raise £3,000 for the charity.

“They do so much to help families and give support and advice,” she said. “My nan spent her entire adult life with my grandad. They gave her a lot of support and made sure she had companionship.

“He was such a bubbly, friendly man. No one had a bad word to say about him. But it (vascular dementia) stripped him of his personality which was devastating.”

Hailey is encouraging others to become more active by taking part in a ‘Virtual Challenge’ and aiming to walk 500km in 30 weeks.

It costs £15 to take part and all money raised will go straight to the charity. Visit www.milesofmemorieschallenge.co.uk for details.