In November 2023, my dad was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at just 57 years old. It’s something that has changed all of our lives, but it’s also shown me just how important the right support can be.

The charity I’m raising money for has become a huge part of my dad’s routine. Every week, he meets with a group to take part in activities that keep him active, engaged, and connected. It gives him structure, something to look forward to, and a sense of normality that means a lot.

They don’t just support my dad- they support my whole family. For my mum especially, knowing he’s in a good environment gives her a bit of time to recharge and take a breather, which is also important. Caring for someone can be a lot for anyone (even though I have never heard her complain once), and this support helps make it sustainable.

I’ve seen first-hand the impact this support has, and that’s why I’m taking on this massive challenge. These services rely on funding to continue doing the work they do, and I want to help make sure they’re there for others who need them just as much as we do.

Therefore, on Friday 22nd May, I will begin a 100-mile run through Glasgow. I’ll be running almost continuously, stopping only to eat and use the toilet, and expect it to take somewhere between 24 and 30 hours to complete. To make this possible, I’ll be running several laps of at least 10 miles each, looping around the city to keep things manageable and safe. This is by far the hardest challenge I’ve ever taken on- the furthest I’ve run before is 50km, so this is a huge step up both physically and mentally. For context, 100 miles is roughly 161 kilometres, which really shows the scale of what I’m attempting.

Every donation, no matter how small, will go towards supporting people living with Alzheimer’s and the families around them in Scotland. Cheers for taking the time to read and for any support you can give!

More on the charity below:

Alzheimer Scotland is the leading, national dementia charity in Scotland. Our mission is to make sure nobody faces dementia alone. We provide advice, information and support and we are here for people living with dementia, their families and carers across Scotland. Our services include our 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline – 0808 808 3000