Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am running in the Great North Run in September 2012 for the Alzheimer's Society. My Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers 6 years ago. When Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers I didn't really understand what the disease did to someone. The disease was so rapid with my Mom that within 18 months my Mom had forgotten how to feed herself, wash, walk, talk and became doubly incontinent. She has to wear nappies like a baby does, and looking after Mom is like looking after a 6 month old baby. In the last 4 years I have had 2 children and my Mom does not know she has grandchildren. I have taken the boys to see my Mom, but she doesn't know who I am, let alone the boys. It has been a really devastating time for my family and in August 2011 we lost our Dad to Cancer. He had been my Mom's main carer and when my Mom finally went into a care home, he visited her everyday to continue to help look after her. Looking after my Mom at home nearly destroyed my Dad and tore my brother, sister and I emotionally apart. For the first time in my life I saw my dad cry.

The old adage is also true, carers go before the people with the disease do.

When Mom was diagnosed I knew little about the disease. The only time I had heard of it was in the press when they reported on Ronald Reagan. I though Mom might forget a few things.....I just didn't know what was coming.

By running I hope to raise money to help people who have the disease and their families. Dad relied on some invaluable support given by various charities. Alzheimers society gave Dad a sitter for 3 hours a week on a Wednesday, just so that he could get out of the house and do something for himself, like go to the library. Looking after someone with Alzheimers is a 24/7 job, that 3 hours was something so small but something so invaluable. I also want to also raise awareness about Alzheimer's and what it can do.

Any donation, however small will help but not only that, raising awareness is just as important.

13 miles here I come...I have never run that far in my life!