Last November my Grandad, Victor John Wesley, sadly passed away following a difficult journey with dementia. My Mum & I will be running a fun run in August to raise donations in his memory.

Before experiencing my Grandad's time in hospital I had always just thought of dementia simply as memory loss, I didn't realise quite how profound and upsetting the effects of dementia could be. There were moments which I can only describe it as a polar opposite character change. In some ways that made it very easy to see when the effects of dementia were in control, the contrast was as big as it could have been.

I can remember my Nan saying to me that she didn't want me to see and remember my Grandad in that way. To anyone that knew him, they would completely understand when I say that it would be entirely impossible to remember him in that way, it quite simply wasn't him. 

I, and they, would be sure to tell you about his kind, loving manner, his infectious sense of humour and his cheeky smile. And, even to his final days he continued to be on a wind-up mission to have a joke and laugh with those around him. A loving husband, a great Father, Grandad, Great Grandad, he's missed greatly by all his family and friends.

I'm thankful Grandad lived a long, happy family life before his experiences of dementia. Many others who suffer with the disease aren't as lucky, with battles that can last many, many years, and even from a young age. This JustGiving page is for me and my Mum to raise some funds in his memory, with the hope that the Alzheimer's Society can some day succeed in their mission of a world without dementia.

Thanks for any donations, it's really appreciated!
Greg & Linda