A FUNDRAISER is swapping admin for the North Atlantic as she takes on an Alzheimer's charity trek in honour of her late nan.

Joanne Cleeve, from the Greenwood Estate in Bicester, is taking time out of her work with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to take on the impressive feat next year.

Now she is ramping up her training efforts ahead of taking on the second largest glacier in Iceland – Langjökull –which will see her tackling sub zero temperatures for six days.

The 35-year-old said: "I was supposed to be doing it a couple of years ago but a sports injury to my shoulder put a stop to it.

"The idea came after my sister did a Kilimanjaro trek in memory of my nan, who died in 2015.

"My sister did the trek to raise money for dementia care."

Miss Cleeve said as a 'girly girl' she was never inclined to join her sister on the charity trek but afterwards she found herself inspired by her efforts.

Their grandmother Violet Cleeve died aged 83 in 2015 after battling with Alzheimer's.

Miss Cleeve added: "She inspired me to step out of my comfort zone, so fast forward a few years after my injury I thought if I don't do it now I never will."

Miss Cleeve is now training intensely to condition her body to be able to tackle the six-day trek which includes pulling a sled for up to nine hours a day and hiking up to 1,400m above sea level.

Training includes personal sessions at Unipart gym in Oxford, plus spinning and bike rides every week.

She will fly out on February 3 and will celebrate turning 36 during the challenge.

Miss Cleeve said: "I am excited but also terrified. I am quite sporty but obviously with a shoulder injury have become quite unfit so I am just trying to get back to where I used to be right now.

"This will be a challenge that will test me physically and mentally."

Miss Cleeve hopes to raise a total of £3,500 and is currently seeking donations as well as sponsorship from local businesses for the trek.

She is also hosting an afternoon tea on Sunday, April 30, in Titchener Close with tickets costing £10.

For more details contact jcleeve123@gmail.com or to donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Joanne-Cleeve