Sarah McGowan
The hardest thing I've ever done!
Fundraising for Alzheimer's Society
Story
At the beginning of this year, the Alzheimer's Society was chosen by Credit Suisse as Charity of the Year and I knew this was a cause I wanted to give my full support to.
The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading support services & research charity for people with dementia and those who care for them. There are 700,000 people with dementia in the UK with numbers set to rise to one million by 2025. 417,000 of those are affected by Alzheimer's - the most common cause of dementia. These are progressive diseases, which means that gradually over time, more parts of the brain are damaged and as this happens, the symptoms become more severe. In later stages, the person affected will have problems carrying out even the smallest everyday tasks and become increasingly dependent on other people.
There is currently no cure for dementia or its related diseases.
The Society's fight for a better world for people with all types of dementia takes a wide range of forms. Through branches, they touch the lives of over 30,000 people every week, providing practical services and support for people with dementia and their carers. Every year, more than a million people make use of the information provided. They campaign for the needs and interests of people with dementia (and those who care for them) to be recognised in improved health and social care schemes, and for greater public understanding and awareness of dementia.
And the reason why this charity is so important?
Well, aside from the figures and information above, in 1981 my Grandma Joyce Bloomfield was diagnosed with Dementia at the age of 51 which developed into Alzheimer's in the early 1990's. She passed away in June 2002 at the age of 72, when I was 18. Unfortunately like many other diseases, Alzheimer's is devastating to watch - especially with no light at the end of the tunnel.
So in March, I decided to sign up for the Society's Himalayan trek, due to take place in November across the Annapurna mountain range. I'll be trekking for 8-10 hours a day for 6 days, along narrow mountain passes, river banks and valleys, and through picturesque villages. There will be some long steep climbs and descents from trails that are anything from well-maintained to rocky, dusty paths and forest tracks.
Now comes the really hard bit, raising sponsorship money.
In pledging to take place in this trip, I've agreed to raise a minimum of £2,700. Which is where you lovely people come in!
Before I continue, I have to tell you that a portion of your sponsorship money will be used to cover the outstanding cost of my trip. However, I can promise that at least £1,625 of my minimum sponsorship will directly benefit the Society and will make a significant difference to the lives of people affected by dementia.
I was meant to keep this short (!) so I guess that's it from me. All I really need from you now is two minutes of your time to give any donation you can. It's greatly appreciated and your support will keep me smiling when I get rained on, walking when my feet hurt, and laughing when my tent collapses!
Please visit www.alzheimers.org.uk for more information about the vital work of Alzheimer's Society.
Thank you x