A WOMAN who watched her fit and healthy dad become wheelchair bound by multiple sclerosis is taking on a top walking challenge to raise money and battle the disease.

Louise Nutley from Culham, is preparing to walk 26 miles across London this weekend.

The 29-year-old is on a mission to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, to help beat the illness her father, Marc, suffers from.

She is taking part in an event this weekend which will see thousands of people walk the London Marathon route.

Miss Nutley, who works at The Narrows pub in Abingdon, said: "My dad was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 10 years ago, just after he started university.

"I watched him go from working full time and completely healthy. But he has now been confined to a wheelchair and is blind.

"My uncle also suffers from this disease. I want to raise as much money as I can."

Miss Nutley lives with her boyfriend Steven, and his family in Culham while her parents Jennifer and Marc live in Salisbury.

She also has a sister, Siobhan, who is 27.

She added: "Last year I did a 10k. This year I thought I would do more."

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition which affects around 100,000 people in the UK.

Once diagnosed, MS stays with a person for life, but treatments and specialists can help them to manage the condition and its symptoms.

Doctors do not yet know the cause and have not found a cure, and any money donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society helps research move forward.

Miss Nutley has set herself an initial target of £300 but is looking to raise as much cash as possible.

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/louisems to donate to Miss Nutley's cause.