A LOVING granddaughter is to take on the London Marathon in aid of people living with dementia.

Amy Scholes-Higham, aged 21, was determined to tackle the challenge for the Alzheimer’s Society after her grandmother fell ill with a rare virus two years ago.

Hilary Higham, aged 72, was rushed to hospital in 2010 with encephalitis — a serious condition which causes inflammation of the brain.

Her family feared she may not pull through and she remained in intensive care at the Royal Bolton Hospital for 10 days.

She did manage to make a recovery but the virus left her unable to walk and with lasting symptoms of dementia.

Amy, of Ainsworth Avenue, in Horwich, says her grandmother’s ordeal inspired her to run the marathon for the Alzheimer's Society.

Amy, who is studying Zoology at Bangor University, said: “We were all scared we were going to lose her but she did pull through. “But it has meant that she suffers with signs of dementia and has to live in a care home now.

“Her short-term memory loss has been seriously affected and she lives very much in the moment.

“She knows I’m running the marathon for the Alzheimer’s Society but not that it’s really for her.

“My nan has been my motivation all the way through my training.

“It’s been really tough but she’ll be in mind every step of the way.”

Amy’s mum Christine Scholes-Higham added: “We were initially told my mother-in-law had a water infection but it turned out to be so much more serious.

“It has had a devastating impact on Hilary and the family which is why Amy’s doing this.

“She’s training so hard and we’re all really proud of her.”

Amy has so far raised £400 but she is hoping to hit her £500 target before the race on April 21.

People can sponsor Amy by visiting her marathon fundraising web page at: www.virginmoneygiving.com/ AmyScholesHigham.