Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I am taking part in this year's Thames Marathon (Bridge to Bridge) challenge, which is a 14km swim from Henley to Marlow on 7th August.

It has been a good 20 years since I did any serious swimming and the training is certainly reminding me of that fact! However, I am determined to complete this challenge, for one very important reason: it is an unmissable opportunity to raise money for research into Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia.

Many of you reading this page will be aware that my Mum, Helen, is living with this illness: far from being an 'old person's disease', the first symptoms of Alzheimer's presented themselves when she was in her early 50s.

There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease or any other form of dementia.  One simple reason exists for this stark reality: research into potential cures has been chronically underfunded for generations. This situation is starting to change: indeed, our own Government has pledged to increase funding with a view to discovering a cure by 2025, and several global initiatives have been launched in the last few years.

I want to do my bit too (look away now if you don't like being asked for money). Please sponsor me! And THANK YOU to anyone who is kind enough to do so.

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