<p>Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</p> <p>This is my 2nd attempt at the Great North Run (and probably my last).&nbsp; I am aiming to smash!!! my time from last year of 3h 55mins to around 3h 30 mins but it is not about how fast I do it - it is about raising the money for my charity.</p> <p>This year I am doing it for Age UK Northumberland.&nbsp; The cynical among you will think it is just because I work there but you would be wrong.&nbsp; <strong>I'm doing it for my dad!</strong></p> <p>As many of you may know my dad came to live with us in February after my mum died.&nbsp; Dad has Alzheimers and the death of my mum, the move and leaving the city he has lived in all his 80 years and all that is familiar has meant that he is confused, lonely and doesn't know anyone.</p> <p>Age UK Northumberland has been a lifeline not only for Dad but for the rest of us.&nbsp; Two days a week dad goes to one of the charity's Day Centres.&nbsp; They pick him up, he meets people, takes part in activities that stimulate him, gets lunch, talks to others and they bring him home again.&nbsp; The day centre is two days where dad gets out, the staff monitor his condition and it is two days where I don't have to worry about him being in the house alone while I go to work.</p> <p>It hasn't been an easy time for any of us over the last few months but especially for dad whose life has changed beyond imagination and his condition will only get worse.&nbsp; So Age UK Northumberland has helped to make things a little bit easier.</p> <p>The charity offers many services to thousands of lonely and isolated older people throughout Northumberland every year and the support of the public means that they are able to continue, expand and develop their services so please help me to support them.</p> <p>Your support will be helping people like my dad.</p> <p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving &ndash; they&rsquo;ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they&rsquo;ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it&rsquo;s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p> <p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>