A woman is to walk 47 miles along the Norfolk coast to help raise money for a charity encouraging people to get fit.

Melissa McDonald, from Heacham, is aiming to complete the endurance event between Hunstanton and Cromer in 24hrs to raise money for the Community Sports Foundation.

Mrs McDonald is a part of the Medicines Management Team at West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which buys primary, acute and community health services for people living around Downham Market, Hunstanton, King's Lynn and Swaffham.

The CCG is promoting the benefits of taking regular exercise and a healthy diet in order to help prevent people from developing conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. If current trends continue, one in three people will be obese by 2034 and one in 10 will develop diabetes.

Mrs McDonald is training hard for the challenge which be taking place on Friday and Saturday, June 8 and 9.

She said: 'I would recommend walking to anyone, it is so easy to just get out there and walk.

'Even if it is just 10mins, it makes a big difference to your health and wellbeing.

'I have found that the training has made me stronger and I am a lot fitter than I was before I started training just after Christmas.

'I have never done anything like this before, it is going to be a mental challenge as much as a physical one but something I am looking forward to.'

Mrs McDonald has started a training programme which will see her complete four shorter walks of around six miles during the week and then a longer endurance walk at the weekend.

She said: 'I'm up to around 20 miles but the longest I'll be walking is 25 miles and then I'll tail it down again.

'When I first started training six miles was a challenge but now I find that easy. It is all about building up to it.

'I am really enjoying the training. I do a bit of the coastal path, go along the sand dunes and road walking. It is really good being out in the fresh air and you see so much of the coast line. My dog is also getting a lot of exercise!'

Mrs McDonald was inspired to take part in the coastal challenge as her daughter Eliza has been involved with the Norwich City Football Programme for the last eight years.

The Community Sports Foundation helps 38,000 people in Norfolk to achieve their goals through sport, including many people who are disabled or are from a disadvantaged background.

Mrs McDonald and her fellow walkers will be setting off from Hunstanton and then walk 47 miles along the coastal path before reaching the finish line at Cromer Pier for a barbeque breakfast.

She said: 'This is a really good charity to support as it is helping a wide range of people with sport. I would really like to raise £500.'

To donate, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=MelissaMcdonald&pageUrl=1