A DANCE teacher is to scale five live volcanoes to help fund research into a “cruel” disease that took her grandma’s independence.

Sarah Wood is joining a team of volunteers in Guatemala to trek five active volcanoes over seven days to raise vital funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

The 27-year-old is taking on the challenge because her grandma, Lois Doyle, has the disease.

Ms Wood, who runs the Doyle Academy of Irish Dance in Scarborough, is grateful to her grandma for her help raising her as a child and wanted to raise awareness of the disease.

Mrs Doyle had been showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s for several years by the time she was diagnosed in 2011.

Ms Wood said: “When I went to university, I would try to get back home as much as I could to visit my family, but I started to notice strange things happening.

“One day, there was a pot of boiling water left on the stove when I arrived. I would often find food left in the microwave and dishes weren’t being done.

“I was gutted for her when she was diagnosed. It was a really frightening moment because I didn’t really know what it meant.

“I had studied it academically as a part of my degree but being part of the experience is completely different.”

The diagnosis was especially devastating for Ms Wood as her grandma helped to raise her while her mum was training to be a nurse, and the pair have a close bond as a result.

Ms Wood said: “When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I realised I would never get to tell her how much she meant to me, because I don’t think she ever really thought that much of herself.

“I look back on my childhood and see her as so strong.”

She added: “When I saw this trek being advertised, I decided to sign up because I wanted to do something to help my nan.

“She is now living in a care home full-time and she’s doing quite well there.

“While she is happy in the care home, I know that it’s not enough.

“I don’t want other families to have to go through what we’ve been through. Seeing my nan having this disease has opened my eyes to how cruel it is, and how badly we need to find new treatments.”

Ms Wood is starting her challenge on April 14.

Donations can be made to her JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-wood55