AN adrenaline junkie is taking on a new challenge in loving memory of her grandmother who died after suffering a series of strokes.

Kayleigh Johns, 30, will be pounding the streets of London next year as she competes in the annual marathon in a bid to raise funds and awareness for the Stroke Association.

In 2013 Miss Johns, who is originally from Whitbeck, between Silecroft and Bootle, was travelling in Australia when she was told her beloved grandmother Doreen had died.

She said: "She was one of the most amazing women I had ever met and I was so privileged to have her in my life.

"She was there every day for me supporting me in everything I did and I never got to say goodbye to her."

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The 30-year-old is no stranger to adventures and challenges and, despite suffering a knee injury, will be climbing Africa's Kilimanjaro mountain and tackling a three peaks challenge in the Himalayas next year.

But she thinks her 26-mile run would provide her grandmother with the most amusement.

Doreen Travis died aged 86 after suffering a series of strokes and mini strokes.

Miss Johns is keen to promote the work of the Stroke Association which is the leading charity in the field and hopes her donations can go towards research, improving treatments, care and support.

She called her grandmother a "tough cookie" and said: "Strokes can happen at any age but don't let that put you off living your life or get you down."

You can sponsor Miss Johns at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Kayleigh-Johns1

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