Imagine the frustration of seeing someone you love slowly vanish in to thin air. Their familiar features remain in front of you, but the rich character within starts to depart as their ability to remember, communicate, or understand what’s going on around them shuts down.

There are 100 different types of dementia, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s - a progressive illness that alters the structure and chemistry of the brain which becomes increasingly damaged over time.

To watch a loved one staring in to a mirror and hear them ask ‘who’s that person in the reflection?’ is heartbreaking to witness and leads to an intense frustration of not being able to do anything to help.

Well now you can.

I’m heading in to thin air for just a few days in order to raise urgently needed funds for the Alzheimer’s Society on a charity trek to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.

Kilima Njaro is Swahili for ‘ Shining Mountain ’ and its snow clad peak stands 19,335.6 ft above sea level. Even in summer, the nights are intensely cold and above 14,000 ft the oxygen levels drop dramatically. Altitude sickness is a very real threat but even before that, there are seven days of trekking through jungle to the mountain base, muscle burning scree on the lower slopes and then 8 hours every day of slow progress on the steep upper slopes to the snow line. The hardest part of the climb is in the thinnest atmosphere and every step will be intensely painful.

I have no doubt that it will be the most physical challenge I have ever undertaken but for every step I take and for every £ you donate, it will enable the Alzheimer Society to better understand the disease and use your donation for their three C’s – Cause, Cure and Care.

 Alzheimer’s strikes randomly and for the 750,000 lost souls and their families currently enduring such anguish in the UK, your support will help to deliver a glimmer of hope.

I can come back down from the remote African peak with a head full of memories. I want to use that experience so that others can keep theirs too. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Alzheimer's Society will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Thank you so much  for your support.

Love Holly .x.

P.S. Don't forget that any of you who pledge over £25 will get your name to the summit on an exclusive T - Shirt!!