Dr Kate Condon started along Route 66 at 4.30am on Monday, May 5, from Chicago on her way to Los Angeles.

Her journey is being made to highlight psoriasis and its effects on the lives of those who have the skin condition. One of her daughters, Jess, wrote yesterday morning: "Chicago was apparently an absolutely stunning city with incredible skyscrapers and some beautiful buildings.

"Some of you may know, and for those who don't, mum does not exactly have the most fantastic sense of direction. Therefore, I was not overly surprised to find out she did manage to get herself lost in Chicago for a few hours."

Dr Condon (52), of Charlton, works at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital and St Richard's Hospital and sees patients from around western West Sussex.

She intends to run 35-40 miles a day for 70 days to arrive at Los Angeles on July 13.

Her adventure is being used by the Psoriasis Association as the highlight of its 40th anniversary.