1 day, 13 friends, 1 minibus, 462 miles by
road, 10,000 feet to climb, 3 mountains in 3 countries …

Welcome to our National Three Peaks Challenge fundraising
page!

We are going to attempt to do the National Three Peaks Challenge, we will climb the tallest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales - Ben Nevis (4,413ft), Skafell Pike (3,209ft) and Snowdon (3,560ft) one after the other!

With help from my amazing friends we are doing this to raise awareness and funding for The National Brain Appeal, an incredible charity close to my family's heart.

In 2015 at the age of 56 my dad was diagnosed with a form of
early on-set dementia, called behavioural variant Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) with most people being diagnosed between the ages of 45 to 65. FTD causes changes in behaviour, loss of inhibitions, motivation and compulsive behaviour. Over time Dad has shown changes in his personality, behaviour, speech, memory and difficulty in swallowing.

It has been a journey of heartache, learning, frustration and everything in between. In the beginning there would be more good days than
bad where we would see glimmers of his happy normal self. Sometimes we still get to enjoy his silly sense of humour and tactile nature where he’ll copy me in pulling faces or he’ll hold my hand tight. It’s these moments we have to try and seize every minute we get to experience. As the disease has progressed those days have begun to fade. It’s a cruel disease where we can only sit back and watch our Dad disappear not really knowing what is going on in his mind and how he is feeling.

Our journey as a family has been difficult, isolating and at times helpless with little help out there for younger people with
dementia and their carer’s to help understand the changes and cope with the continual loss of the Dad we knew. By doing the Three Peaks we hope to raise awareness of this type of dementia and raise money for the National Brain Appeal's neurodegeneration work. They seek to improve the outcome and quality of life of the 1 in 6 people affected by a neurological condition, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease and motor neurone disease. Their work also includes the Rare Dementia Support Fund for access to specialist information and support. The money raised will help fund pioneering research, provide access to the best technology for expert diagnosis and treatment.

Many of our group have family members affected  by the conditions the National Brain appeal is working to tackle, as will many of you. We’d appreciate any support you can give as we attempt the Three National Peaks one after the other!

Thank you so much,

Liz, the Sherwood’s and our merry band of walking friends!
Xxx