FACING her phobia of snakes and a series of gruelling fitness challenges are just some of the ways a gym boss wants to show her support for Alzheimer's sufferers.

Clare Holloway, who owns and manages Gymophobics women's gym in Colchester, has set herself monthly tasks to complete in return for cash for the Alzheimer's Society.

Clare was inspired to push herself to the limits after her dad Peter was diagnosed with the incurable form of dementia four years ago.

She said: "I am 50 this year and it needed to be a challenge and it needed to be a big challenge."

Clare, from Wivenhoe, also wants to raise awareness of how common Alzheimer's Disease has become.

An estimated one in 14 people over the age of 65 are affected.

Challenges started in January and each one is connected to dementia .

They kicked off with Clare walking 100 kilometres - as there are more than 100 diseases that may cause dementia

February saw her run a total of 62 kilometres because 62 per cent of dementia sufferers have Alzheimer's.

March saw her charged £5 to wash people's cars as that is the cost for people to attend Colchester's dementia cafe.

Sunday was biggest challenge so far for the mum-of-two, when she handled two snakes at Betta Aquatics in Elmstead Market.

It was her chance to experience the fear that Alzheimer's sufferers experience as they lose their memory.

Clare said: "I have never been so scared and couldn’t move, my heart rate doubled! But I knew I was doing it for such an important cause and trying to understand the daily fear that people living with Alzheimer’s face."

Other activities this year, to reflect the experiences of sufferers, have included going 24 hours without food.

Come the summer Clare plans to scale the UK's highest peak, Ben Nevis, as Alzheimer's is the UK's biggest killer.

All her fundraising will be rounded off by a Christmas party with charity auction and raffle.

Clare added: "It is a horrible thing for people that have got Alzheimer's and for the family and friends that watch them deteriorate."

Her dad has experienced memory loss and his confidence has been affected.

Clare's fundraising target for the year is £5,000.

Sponsor her at www.justgiving.com/Clare-Holloway1?utm_id=27.