Thanks for taking the time to visit “A Season to Remember”.

At the age of just 53, my mother was diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset dementia known as PCA (posterior cortical atrophy).  With no awareness or support in her native South Africa, she has found the support group funded by the Myrtle Ellis Fund (MEF) immensely helpful.

Although the group is run from University College London, it live-streams meetings on YouTube and makes a range of resources available online.  Another PCA-affected family runs the Facebook group and this provides a global lifeline to many.

I’m looking forward to a memorable season on the bike and have set out to complete a total of 632.7 km over four cycling challenges, culminating in the prestigious Tour de France London stage:

1. 128 km tour of Cambridgeshire Gran Fondo Race - 7th June 2015
2. 161 km Prudential Ride London - Team Challenge - 2nd August 2015
3. 160.7km Amateur Road World Championships - Aalborg - 4-6th September 2015
4. 188 km L'Etape London by Tour de France - 27th September 2015

All money raised goes directly to the charity that administers the Myrtle Ellis Fund - the National Brain Appeal.

A BIG thanks in advance for your support!

Information about PCA:

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a progressive degenerative condition involving the loss and dysfunction of brain cells, particularly at the back (posterior) of the brain. In the vast majority of cases, this loss of brain cells is associated with the same pathological brain changes seen in typical Alzheimer's disease, so PCA is usually considered to be an atypical variant of Alzheimer's.

PCA and Alzheimer's disease affect people in very different ways. Alzheimer's disease is most commonly associated with deterioration in memory, language and perception. In contrast, people with PCA tend to have relatively well preserved memory and language but instead experience a considerable decline in visual abilities, for example identifying and locating objects and in skills such as spelling, writing and arithmetic.