This October we will be running our first ever half marathon in memory of our eldest cousin Chris, who tragically died two years ago, aged just 32 years old. We will be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon alongside our cousins and uncle. So far our family and friends have raised over £17,000 for Alzheimer's Research through Chris' page and this year we hope to break the £20,000 barrier.

Our uncle Pete, Chris' dad, suffers from early-onset Alzheimer's. Chris' wish was to cure his dad and with the help of events like this will help fund for research, and hopefully one day find a cure for the illness. This is the motivation behind why we've decided to undertake the challenge. 

In the words of my cousin Hanna, Chris' sister: 

"Before Dad became ill, I always thought of dementia as an inevitable part of ageing; becoming a bit forgetful as you enter your dotage, granny repeating herself. I didn't expect it would take my Dad, who was 58 when he was diagnosed. I didn't know that it could start with your speech and your language. I didn't think that my name could be one which my Dad forgot. I had no idea how hard dementia is on a family. On the articulate and brilliant man who slowly but surely loses their words and thoughts. On the loving wife who is forced to move from confidant and partner to carer. On children, who aren't nearly practiced enough in giving the kind of support their parents now need. And on the wider family and friends, who see it all happen and don't know what they can do. We lost Chris in a day, but we continue to lose Dad every week, every year, a little bit more every day.

The truth is that we can't grant Chris' wish - research is too late for our Dad. But the Alzheimer's Research team are working as hard and as fast as they can to stop this disease from affecting other families. Please help us to help them."

Thank you for taking the time to read our page. Any donation received will be massively appreciated by us all!