A mum and mental health nurse will take on the ultimate challenge as she prepares to run 100km for charity.

Erika Crossley, 35 from Shaftesbury is set to run the gruelling 'Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones', a 100km endurance event on July 14.

The demanding 100km run will be completely new territory for the recent mother of two, as her longest run to date has been a half marathon - just over 21km.

Erika however, said she is extremely motivated and believes the key to her race success lies within her family.

“My mother has always been my inspiration for running, as she herself was an avid runner. But also, I need to give huge credit to my two children, as they motivated me to become the best version of myself that I could be,” she said

Having two young children and working full-time as a paediatric and adolescent mental health nurse, Erika said it has been a 'real challenge' to find time to train and make sure she is in shape for the obstacles ahead.

Erika is hoping to finish the race in under 16 hours and said she knows it will be as much a mental battle as it will be physical. In the run up to the event she is raising money for ‘The Mix’, which offers essential support for under 25s with mental health issues.

“I not only struggled with mental health issues during my adolescence but I’ve also now made it my life’s ambition to help young people in regard to their mental wellbeing. This has allowed me to see first-hand how beneficial organisations such as ‘The Mix’ can be in supporting young people when they need it most," she said.

On the day, Erika won’t be facing this challenge alone.

“My brother did a speech recently about being a ‘normal guy and doing exceptional things’, and this was the final push I needed to get me to do something this challenging.

“If you asked me two years ago to do something like this, I would have laughed at you, but here I am just months away, ready to share this amazing experience with my brother at my side."

To support Erika visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/WonderTwins.