Hi all,

Firstly I would like to say thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I thought I should take a bit of time to explain why I've decided to run the London Marathon for Dementia Concern (formerly Alzheimer's Concern).

Over the past few years I've seen huge number of tv programmes highlighting the plight of various different groups, however; never have I been more affected than watching "Terry Pratchett: Living With Alzheimer's" broadcast on bbc1 back in 2009. 

For those of you who don't know, Terry Pratchett is an extremely successful author who was the UK's best selling author of the 90s and has sold over 65million books worldwide. He was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2007.

Alzheimer's is currently an incurable, degenerative disease causing sufferers to experience confusion, language breakdown and long-term memory loss. Gradually bodily functions are lost, leading to death.

The scene that I found most powerful in the documentary was when Mr Pratchett was getting dressed; he looked down at his tie hanging round his neck, and realised for the first time that he couldn't remember how to tie it.

The contrast between best-selling author, and someone incapable of tying a tie, highlights perfectly the tragic effects of the disease and shows that it really can happen to anyone.

I have been indirectly affected by Alzheimer's with my Grandmother getting it in her later years, and much to my surprise, an ever increasing number of my friends have also been affected.

With as many sufferers as cancer, but significantly less publicity, you're donations really couldn't be going to a worthier cause. 

Please give generously. Thank you!