This fundraiser will have victory all sewn up as long as she does not get a bout of pins and needles.

Inspirational runner Susie Hewer from Ewhurst Green could stitch her way into the history books at this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon while boosting funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

She will attempt to beat her own Guinness World Record for creating the longest crochet chain while running a marathon on Sunday, April 13.

Susie, known as the Extreme Knitting Redhead, will run in memory of her mum Peggy, who died with vascular dementia in 2005, aged 89.

Susie took up running in 2002 and ran her first marathon two weeks after losing her mum.

She said: “My dear mum is my inspiration for running. Every marathon I complete is a tribute to her.

“Having watched her fade away with vascular dementia, I’m determined to do everything I can to raise money and awareness for the research experts, Alzheimer’s Research UK.

“My mum also taught me to crochet when I was very young so it has an extra special meaning for me. I have unfinished business and I’m confident I can crochet an even longer chain this year.”

Her current crochet record is 77.4m (253ft) which she achieved at the London Marathon in 2010.

She finished in 5hrs 42min and averaged an incredible 2.9m per mile.

She was also the first person to run a marathon while knitting and set the Guinness World Record for creating the longest scarf over the 26.2-mile distance.

Jodie Vaughan, community fundraising manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Susie is an amazing champion of Alzheimer’s Research UK and we can’t thank her enough for her continued efforts to raise money for our pioneering research.

“During the past eight years Susie has raised more than £30,000 for the charity, enough to pay for 1,500 hours of world-class research and vital equipment for our scientists.

“Her remarkable efforts are helping bring us closer to finding ways to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.”

To help Susie raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK donate online at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ extremeknittingredhead.