Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This year I will be attempting to run four 10K races in different towns and cities to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer's Society.  My first event will be the Manchester 10K in May.  Last year was a scorching hot day and while I dragged myself round the streets of Manchester in the name of charity, I do not claim to have ran in this event before...

For those of you who know me well, you may be aware that my Nan is living with dementia.  I adore my Nan and when I was a child she was my best friend and 'soul mate'.  Dementia is a cruel illness that affects people differently.  Some of the symptoms include problems with:

• concentrating, planning or organising – difficulties making decisions, solving problems or carrying out a sequence of tasks (eg cooking a meal)
• language – difficulties following a conversation or finding the right word for something
• visuospatial skills – problems judging distances (eg on stairs) and seeing objects in three dimensions
• orientation – losing track of the day or date, or becoming confused about where they are.

Dementia is a progressive illness which means that symptoms worsen over time and in most cases there is no cure.  In the later stages of the illness, people with dementia may suffer from hallucinations and become frustrated or irritable, withdrawn, anxious, easily upset or unusually sad.  Symptoms also include muscle weakness and weight loss.

My Nan is in the late stages of dementia.  It has been truly heart breaking to witness the decline in the health of my Nan and it is for her that I am training hard so that I can raise awareness of this cruel condition.

The Alzheimer's Society provides support to thousands of people living with dementia.  Through the provision of information and a network of local groups, this wonderful charity is able to hold the hands of carers as they fight to get the right care for their loved ones.  Please help me to help others.

Karen xxx

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