Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am 50 in August 2016 and as a challenge for my 50th year I am running five 10k races to raise money for Alzheimer's Society. In 2013 my wonderful, kind, generous and clever father was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia. As an electrical engineer for Plessey he designed equipment for the military. At home, in the early 80's he taught himself to write computer programs and used these programs to run a successful astrology business with mum. When not working he was always doing practical things, making things, mending things, gardening and doing DIY. One of his more ambitious projects was as building a Miracle dinghy which we all enjoyed sailing. 

One dreadful day, in June 2013, he forgot that he had a diesel car and filled up with petrol, the shock of his engine seizing caused him to change completely. He lost his memory and within weeks became confused and helpless, he was unable to remember how to do routine tasks such as work the lawn mower or even shave himself. That summer, whilst on a family holiday in France he developed hallucinations (that we now know are characteristic of his illness) and he did not recognise the close family members he was with.  He was subsequently diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia.

Following his diagnosis he deteriorated very rapidly, which was a blessing for him because he quickly became unaware of his declining ability. He was unable to distinguish television from real life and subsequently had many imaginary adventures, for example; he was there in the ocean searching for the Malaysian plane when it disappeared and he had bags packed ready to escape from Russian spies in the Ukraine!

In September 2014 he left home for the last time because he was unwell and was admitted to hospital. He was in hospital for seven months until April this year when he was finally transferred to a nursing home. He is comfortable in his nursing home but he is now a shadow of his former self, he cannot do anything for himself and can barely talk.

I miss his strength, his company, his sense of mischief, his jokes, his wisdom. As a child I spent many hours with him in his work room where he taught me so many practical skills; from how to wire a plug to putting up shelves and using power tools; for his time and patience I am so grateful. He told me he wanted to live to 105 because he wanted to see electricity generated by nuclear fusion and that is when he predicted it would be, I am sad that he will not achieve that ambition.

I hope that his mind is off on wonderful adventures, reliving his childhood in Plymouth and happy family times with Mum, Rose, me and my sisters Kate and Claire.

Dementia is indiscriminate and removes people's identities and personality leaving an empty shell. I am raising money for dementia so that in the future dementia can be prevented or treated and no one has to watch their loved ones being stolen away in front of their eyes.

I am planning to run in the following races and I will update this page with my times after each race:

Hursley 10K – September 20th 2015

Southampton Common 10K – November 22nd 2015

Chichester 10K – 7th February  2016

Southampton City 10K – April 24th 2016

BUPA London 10K – May 30th  2016

24th August 2016 – I celebrate my 50th birthday!!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.