Firstly, I have chosen Sober October as the challenge for my fundraising, because I believe you should make it the most difficult thing possible. Not drinking for a month, possibly something I have not done since 2003... seemed exactly that.

Now to the reason 

Betty, pictured above... not the one wearing the red jacket 

Roughly 5-6years ago, my family had noticed signs of my grans "old age", completely normal and expected. 

The first few years of "old age" just went from forgetting the odd birthday, not being able to do a Sudoku or a crossword. Nothing to really get overly fussed about. To the next year radically declining into not being able count money, remember some of our names, or how to write her own.

It was at this point we realised, it was unfortunately not just a sign of "old age".. it would become officially diagnosed as Dementia/Alzheimers.

What has followed since then, is a complete robbery of someone's mental state, becoming almost unrecognisable to the women I grew up and lived with for 16yrs. Since then, she has been put into a home as it simply wasn't safe for herself, or others around her to be left at home without round the clock care.

Alzheimers is increasing in Scotland, and it as it stands will continue to as live expectancy continues to rise. The work Alzheimers Scotland do in raising awareness, looking into potential treatments and coordinating care for those affected is incredibly important. Hopefully nobody has to watch a family member go through this, but whilst it is an issue, I hope you can find some spare change to donate anything you can.

Really appreciate anyone who has stopped off.