I am an active Septuagenarian who has enjoyed many years of physical exercise. This includes long distance running, cycling, walking and various forms of dancing, from Scottish Country dancing and American Square dancing, to three different kinds of Morris dancing. (Cotswold, North West Clog and Border). Therefore participating in the challenge of this Coast 2 Coast event, walking from Minehead to Dawlish, a total of 100 klms, on 25/26 July 2020, will afford the opportunity to do something that appeals to me, whilst helping raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society, the UK’s leading dementia charity. This organisation provides information and support for sufferers of the disease and their families and carers, funds for investigative research, and helps create a more dementia friendly society, where people with the disease can live without fear or prejudice. Currently there are 850,000 people with this condition in the UK, which could reach 1 million by 2025.

Thus far in my life I have had no personal experience of supporting or caring for someone with this incurable condition. However, having watched Judi Dench portray Iris Murdoch on film, and more recently seen Glenda Jackson in ‘ Elizabeth is missing ‘, I have come to appreciate the devastation that this syndrome inflicts on the lives of the sufferers and their carers. By taking part in this event, I aim with the aid of my sponsors, to raise monies to assist the only UK charity investing in research into dementia care, cause, cure and prevention.

I know for instance that a donation of £50 will enable the charity to answer 5 calls via their helpline. Consequently, I ask you to please consider donating whatever amount you can manage, as no sum is too small or too great. There will be regular updates made on my training for you to browse, as I prepare myself both physically and mentally for the 100 klms distance I will tackle over those two days this summer, and look forward, together with your help, to reach the target I have set myself for this challenge.

Thank you.