Hi, my name is Nicky
I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated following the articles in the national newspapers and the TV news.
Thanks also for your good wishes, we are all really touched by your support. Thank you so much.
I carried your stories with me all the way to Paris. We did it together.
Anyway - the job is done. I cycled from London to Paris with 78 other amazing people - all with one mission - to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer's Society so that we can fight dementia. Care for today - a cure for tomorrow.
I listened to peoples stories and I shared my own and we've all raised a great deal of money for the Alzheimer's Society - but here's the thing - Izzie still has dementia and we still need to raise awareness and funds for everybody who's effected by this horrible disease.
So I thought what next? I'm going to keep fighting it, raising funds and awareness. Please visit my facebook page, while I come up with another mad idea.
Izzie's story is below. Please take the time to read it - it's why I cycled from London to Paris.
My daughter Izzie (in the picture) is only 13 years old but suffers from a rare type of early onset dementia. She is my inspiration to do the cycle because she is dealing with her illness with such bravery and strength.
Dementia is gradually robbing Izzie of the ability to talk and in time she will also lose the ability to walk. It affects all areas of her development, from learning difficulties to impaired memory and sensory processing problems. Two years ago we had to take the painful decision to have an operation to enable her to be fed by tube directly into her stomach because she was no longer able to swallow safely and couldn't eat or drink enough. Worst of all, Izzie's condition is sadly life-limiting.
Yet despite all this, as you can see from the picture, she is one of the most vibrant people I have ever known, with a wicked sense of humour and enthusiasm about life. She really does make every attempt to live her life to the full. This picture is of her throwing a snow ball at daddy, almost falling over she was giggling so much.
I want to do this ride for two reasons.
1. To raise money for the Alzheimer's Society who do so much to support people and families with dementia, through information, advice and funding research. Lets try to stop dementia from hurting so many beautiful people.
2. In honour of Izzie, I want to dedicate the ride to my daughter and in some small way understand the challenges she faces everyday.
Please consider making a donation and contributing to the Alzheimer's Societies fight to overcome this horribly cruel condition.
Thank you,
Nicky.
