A teenager will cycle a marathon to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society after watching her loved ones face the disease.

Piper Monk, 16, will take on the challenge on a static bike at her school on Wednesday, December 14.

Having previously taken part in charity events while at primary school, Piper wanted to hold another fundraiser during her final year of secondary school.

She said: "I was getting into cycling during PE at school and I thought, I want to push myself and I want to do it for something that means a lot to me."

Her great-grandad, George Monk, died when she was just six years old. She added: "I have a few memories with him and obviously I have pictures, but he passed away with Alzheimer's.

"And especially with my nan on my mum's side, lots of people she knows are going through it at the minute who are still alive.

"Just seeing them and thinking, if I know so many people that are experiencing this, surely I'm not the only one. Surely other people out there are relating to what I'm going through."

In her fundraiser, which can be found by clicking here, Piper also honoured family friends Alan Hazelwood and John Dockrill, who are currently living with the disease, as well as paying tribute to family friend Doreen Herbert who has died with the disease.

She also referenced her dad's close friend, Andy, whose dad is living with Alzheimer's – although he may be better known to some as former Wolves and Charlton player and manager Mike Bailey.

Piper has been training twice a week for the past 16 weeks in preparation for the task.

She said: "I'm excited for it, I'm not nervous for it. I know it's going to be quite tiring but it should be a good challenge."

The Wilmington Academy pupil has had to get permission to miss lessons to take on the challenge during the school day, and the school has allocated people to supervise her while she cycles.

She hopes to complete the task in less than three hours.

She said her teachers, especially the PE department, have been very supportive, adding: "They were the first people I went to with the idea and they've been really on board with it ever since."

Piper continued that her friends are all excited for her.

She added: "I'm proud of myself for doing it."

At the time of writing, she had nearly hit her £500 target, saying: "I'm jut happy getting what I've got already. I didn't really expect to almost reach the target so soon.

"I was quite shocked. I knew the school was sending it around to teachers but I can't believe I've got that much support, and especially from family.

"Family have done so much and I know how tough things with money are at the minute so it means a lot."

The Alzheimer's Society was founded in 1979 and is a care and research charity for people with dementia and their families.

The charity predicts that by 2025, one million people in the UK will be living with the condition.