What's the best training for a 125-mile walk across the Sahara Desert?

Dozens of half hour sessions walking up and down the stairs in Debenhams, reckons mum-of-two Nicola Matthews.

She says that repeatedly ascending and descending the 50-plus stairs in the department store in Magdalen Street, Oxford, is the best way to prepare for the walk in March.

Mrs Matthews, 39, of Hinksey Hill, said: "As the trek will involve extensive climbing of hills and dunes over prolonged periods, the training schedule outlines the need for climbing and descending several flights of steps for increasing periods of duration.

"During the training I frequently walk my dog - a shih Tzu called Mabel - when Mabel is too tired to continue I pop her into my rucksack and carry her. It actually helps me with weight-training in order to be able to carry all the necessary equipment for the trek."

She decided to take on the challenge to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. Both her parents suffered from the dementia, and she works as a support worker for carers of people with Alzheimer's and other dementias.

She says the importance of raising funds has become even more significant after the Government's health care panel decided the NHS could not prescribe drugs for those in the early stages of the disease.

The trek will also coincide with Nicola's 40th. She said: "It seemed a positive way to mark my birthday. I have seen more than most what an Alzheimer's diagnosis can do to a couple, and indeed an entire family. Such is the struggle that many carers face on a daily basis that I feel compelled to do this and I want to raise as much as I can."

Anybody who would like to sponsor Nicola or would like a chat can call 07833 952514.