From September 28th to November 8th my American friend, Dennis and I will be walking the ‘El Camino de Santiago de Compostella. This is a 500 mile walk across Northern Spain. Starting at St Jean Pied-de-Point we will walk over the French Pyrenees, through Northern Spain and finish at Santiago de Compostella. We will be walking between 14 &18 miles per day, carrying back packs throughout the journey and stopping at Albergues, which are hostels specifically for the pilgrims on the walk.

I am doing this walk to raise funds for 2 different charity organisations which have special personal significance.

Memory Lane Activity and Day Centre, Yeadon, Leeds, ( www.memorylanecare.co.uk ) who are supporting a close personal member of the family. It is a day care centre giving specialist care for older people in the community who have many forms of dementia. They work to enhance and promote positive and stimulating experiences for people with dementia and also respite for their loved ones. Memory Lane are specifically trying to raise funds for a mini bus and improve the day care centre facilities.

The second charity I am supporting is The Alzheimer’s Society, ( www.alzheimers.org.uk ) which again has personal connections as my wife Jill’s father suffered from the disease. This is also the chosen ‘Captains’ Charity of my golf club, Trentham Park Golf Club. My good friend Bob Dalkin is this year’s Captain, who also has personal experience of his close family suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. It is a physical disease which affects the brain with Britain having more than 520,000 sufferers. Currently the disease has no cure but research into drugs and treatments is ongoing and making progress with ways of beating the disease.

All donations will be split 50/50 between these 2 very worthwhile charitable organisations so please give as generously as you possibly can.