Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Last Easter I said a sad final farewell to my mum, Betty, and my mum-in-law, Mo.  They were both wonderful characters who lived life to the full.  They always gave generously of their time and their love.  

In 2010 Betty was awarded an MBE for her services to the community and her charity work.  Soon after the early signs of dementia were starting to show.  Over the next 12 years we all learned so much about the condition, its impact on the person affected and the wider effect on those around them.  

We were lucky.  There were some challenging times but overall we were able to ensure that Mum continued to have a very good quality of life.  This is something I am very passionate about.  Whilst we seek preventions, treatments and cures for dementia we need to have more conversations that lead to better outcomes for all on a day by day basis.

***At the moment there are no dementia survivors!***

Four years ago we noticed that Mo was frequently becoming confused and disorientated.  Tests confirmed what we already knew and dementia was diagnosed.  Mo had been a strong, intelligent, independent lady and it was agonising to see her lose the ability to enjoy the simple pleasures, such as reading a book, that she had always enjoyed.  Once again our focus was on quality of life and we were once again able to enjoy countless happy days making lasting memories.

But how long will I hold onto those memories?  Dementia can affect anyone at any time.  Hence the importance of this charity.  ARUK are carrying out ground breaking research to understand dementia and work towards better diagnosis, preventions and treatments.

So why this challenge and is it really a challenge?

I have always used any tactic required to avoid the need to run.  Putting it bluntly I am a hopeless runner.  Two years ago, when I felt a desperate need to improve my physical and emotional fitness I joined a Couch to 5k group.  I most certainly started at couch level.  In my first session I discovered I could not jog for 2 minutes.  Nevertheless, fuelled by determination, I completed the 10 week program and graduated by running 5k in just over 40 minutes.

When it became obvious that both Mum and Mo were entering the end stage of dementia earlier this year all thoughts of running disappeared and my fitness deteriorated once again.

It has been nearly 4 months since I held Mum's hand whilst singing "We'll meet again" for the last time. The time is right to get my running shoes on again.  But let me be clear.  This is an enormous challenge for me.  Over the coming weeks I will need to run 3 times a week to build some stamina.  Each week I will aim to run a little further or for a little longer until I can run for around 180 minutes.

On April 2nd I will join around 20,000 other runners of all ages and abilities who share one goal.  To run (and walk when necessary) over 13 miles around the streets of London passing many iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, The Shard and St Paul's cathedral.  

For me, it will be a day charged with inspiration.  The combination of the city sights and knowing I am doing this in memory of Betty and Mo will make this an emotional day which I hope to add to my happy memories bank.

However, to get to the start line I have had to train 3 or 4 times a week for the last 6 months often at 6am before the Black Shuck day starts.  This is where you can help.   I am asking my friends and family to recognise the challenge I am facing by sponsoring me.  In return, I will dedicate a training session to you and you will get a personal update from me after the session.

Together we can do this.  Thank you for reading my story.