Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Some of you may recall that I raised money for the Alzheimer’s Society in 2015 when I ran the London Marathon for the first time. In ‘my story’ you may also recall that I mentioned that a relative was struggling with Vascular Dementia. I did not specify that this was in fact my Mum who was diagnosed with the condition in 2012 when she was only in her early 60’s.

Since this I have watched my Mum deteriorate at a rapid rate in recent years and whilst she still recognises me, I don’t think it will be long before this memory will start to slip away. It is now clear that she struggles with many basic tasks and holding a conversation is a challenge for her. However she remains upbeat and very much
lives for each day. She has always been an optimist and this is still clear to see.

The onset of Dementia seems to strike randomly and when I read the articles about how you can help yourself to avoid developing dementia, hardly any of it seems to relate to my Mum, she has never been a big drinker, never smoked, she lived and worked in very social environments and she was a healthy eater.  This is why there needs to be more investment into Dementia research to establish a cure or some preventative solution. Currently there is no medication which fights the condition, the best they can do is to try and treat the symptoms. Any investment in research now will not help my Mum but it may help others who could develop this horrendous condition so please support me and my endeavours to raise money for this fantastic cause.

Now, what I am looking to do to generate interest and hopefully raise loads of money for this essential cause? I hear you ask.....

Well, as I eluded to above, I am a keen runner and as I’m also due to be the grand old age of 50 this year I thought I would have a go at something a bit more special so I am aiming to compete in the Transvulcania Ultra in May 2018, which is a 75 Kilometre (47 mile) ultra race which takes place on the Canary Island of LaPalma. It has over 4,500 metres of climbing and goes up and over the
volcanoes of the island. Needless to state, the climate may also provide a challenge, as we may well be running in 25 degree weather or hotter!

In the lead up to this I need to build up my mileage and climbing rate and so I will be competing in a number of other Ultra marathons between now and then so that I will feel I can do this. They have included so far the Selkirk Ultra (26 miles) in May, the Dovedale Dipper (26 miles) in August, the 9 Edges challenge (22 miles) in September, the Jedburgh 3 Peaks (38 miles) in October and the first
stage of the South to North Ultra from Ashbourne to Edale (34 miles), the Sir Titus Trot near Bradford (26 miles) and the Wilmot Wander (34 miles) in January. 

In February I have entered the Belvoir Challenge (26 miles) and then in March I have entered the Hardmoors 55, which is 55 miles up in North Yorkshire (Helmsley to Guisborough).

In the meantime please do take the time to sponsor me. Every penny counts so any amount will do!

Many thanks for your support.

Peter.

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