The sister and mother of murdered schoolgirl Alice Gross are walking 50km to raise money for the Missing People charity.

The two will take part in the Thames River Ultra Challenge in memory of 14-year-old Alice, whose body was found in the River Brent on September 30 2014.

Nina Gross and her mother Rosalind have already raised more than £4,000 for the walk, which takes place on September 12, marking almost a year since the tragic disappearance of Alice ended in such brutal circumstances.

Nina Gross and Rosalind Hodgkiss

Convicted Latvian murderer, Arnis Zalkalns, 41, is believed to have killed Alice, in Hanwell, and dumped her body in the canal before committing suicide in Boston Manor Woods.

The disappearance of Alice, and subsequently Zalkalns, sparked the biggest manhunt by the Met Police since the 7/7 London terror attacks.

The borough of Ealing, and particularly Hanwell, became festooned in yellow ribbons to raise awareness.

Since the tragedy, Alice’s family have already raised over £23,000 for the National Foundation for Youth Music after setting up a memorial fund in her name.

By walking 50km, they hope to raise as much money as possible for the Missing People charity which helped and supported the family during and after Alice’s disappearance.

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Ms Hodgkiss and her daughter, Nina, have been training for the challenge by walking 26miles on the Allendale Challenge, in Northumberland.

Nina wrote on her JustGiving page: “My sister was a hugely talented individual - kind, funny, thoughtful and quirky. Alice went missing on August 28 2014 and her body was found a month later, launching a murder investigation.

“As a family we have set up a charity fund for Youth Music, a cause true to Alice’s heart as a musician, but I also want to raise money for Missing People. They provide a lifeline for someone who is missing and their families.

“The support they gave us during the time Alice was missing and since she was found has been invaluable.

“Missing People could not have saved Alice, but they could save others.

“I am walking 50km as part of The Thames River Ultra Challenge. Please sponsor me to help raise money for this very worthy cause.”

Missing People offer a lifeline for the 250,000 people who run away and go missing each year.

For those left behind, the charity provides specialist support to ease the heartache and confusion, and help search for their missing loved ones.