Four years ago my good friend Ed Newton learnt that his Mum had Alzheimer's and from that moment we helplessly watched the pain and hurt suffered by our friends as with shocking ferocity and speed a strong, healthy and loved Wife, Mother and Grandmother was taken from them in all but body.

Sadly, Sue passed away peacefully on 13th May but in all of us that knew her she will live on.

Dementia in all its forms is a huge issue for our society. It’s not just a problem for the elderly; it could affect any one of us at any time. There is currently no cure and limited understanding of why it happens.

Alzheimer's Research supports families and sufferers but also puts your money into finding out how and why this happens.

I’ve decided that watching helplessly is no longer ok and will take part in the Blenheim Triathlon to support the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Since last May I’ve been running in ice, rain and very occasionally sun, had special grown up swimming lessons so I can swim properly with my face in the water, bought a bike with a painful saddle and appeared in public clad in lycra slightly too often. The final humiliation over the last month has been forcing myself into a wetsuit and jumping into a cold lake to discover that my new found swimming skills were not all I thought.

At this point a lot of me hurts and it’s going to get worse. I’m feeling pretty nervous but determined to make a difference.  Please help me, for our own and our children's futures.

 Thank you,

 David