Hi, thanks for visiting my Justgiving page. 

My brother and I are cycling from Paris to Geneva in September (5 days cycling with an average of 80 miles per day and a bit of fun climbing over the Alps) and as part of that challenge we are going to raise some money for charities close to us.  I have chosen the Alzheimers Society.  Over the years I have witnessed the devastating affect Alzheimer's and Dementia can have on an individual and their family. 

In 1998 my Grandmother (Dorothy) passed away at the age of 84.  For the 5 years leading up to that point Dorothy had been getting progressively more dependant upon her husband, Jack who was her sole carer throughout the time she was affected with this debilitating illness.  Her ability to live independantly, to perform simple tasks and towards the end, even communicate effectively became impossible at times.

As children my brother and I would become increasingly saddened during our visits to our grandparents (we lived away) as each time in those last 5 years it became apparent that the warm, loving grandmother we knew was disappearing and she was struggling to remember who we were.  This would also affect our devoted grandfather who looked after Dorothy until the very end.  His life was as imprisoned as her for many years, but as frustrating as that must have been, he demonstrated love and patience with her throughout.

My other grandmother (Brenda) was widowed in 1998 and was living independantly until 2009/2010 when she started to display symptoms of dementia.  Only recently has she required a higher level of care which is testament to her pride and persistence to carry on at home despite the limiting effects of her symptoms.  Brenda is a warm, kind, generous and loving grandmother and now great-grandmother who is still able to re-tell stories of the fabulous holidays she took with my Grandad Harold.  She is always delighted to have visits from her grandsons and 4 great grandchildren.

The Alzheimers Society not only funds research into dementia, it's affects, the possiblitiy of slowing it's onset and ultimately a cure but it provides support to sufferers of this terrible disease and also to those close to them who are also affected by the condition.