A FITNESS fanatic is taking on 500 miles of charity challenges after reaching a milestone birthday.

After a glass of wine on her 50th birthday last April, Tracey Prescott decided to spend the next 12 months cycling, running and climbing over obstacles in a contest she set for herself called 500 for 50.

This weekend she will finish the final 200 miles in one sweep by cycling 100 miles each day along a route through Sussex she planned herself, with a group of dedicated friends. She has already raised more than £1,000 towards a £2,500 target.

Tracey, from Henfield, said: "My friends said I was absolutely crazy. But they’ve always been there to cheer me on. I’ve not done any of these things alone - people have wanted to have a bash too. It’s been an amazing journey. I’ve had fun with friends and people who’ve helped have become friends too.

"The hardest part will be getting up on Sunday morning and having to do it all again. The last few miles will be emotional for everybody.”

Tracey first got the fundraising bug five years ago, doing a sponsored run that raised over £8,000 to support her nephew who was having treatment for leukaemia. Only a few days later, her mother died from a brain haemorrhage.

She said: "My mum passing away five days after our first event made a big impact. We could all be gone tomorrow. You have to make the most of life."

Half of the funds raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Support, in honour of her friend Gary Dunk, who died from a brain tumour in January 2015.

The rest will go to Henfield Leisure Centre, where Tracey trains five days a week, to maintain a new soft play area for children which opened on Saturday. [19/3] Mrs Prescott is already gearing up for more sports events in May.

Leisure centre manager Simon Thompson, 43, said the money would have a huge impact.

He said: "We’re a registered charity and so we rely on fundraising activity- it’s vital. Without it things couldn’t happen.

"We can’t thank Tracey enough."

To donate visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/777fundraising