I am taking part in the Royal Parks half marathon on October 7 not only because I love running - but for a more important reason: to raise money for Britain's leading dementia charity, the Alzheimer's Society.

My Mum, Shirley, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 10 years ago - at the age of 66. With hindsight, the telltale signs had been there for many years previously.

Today, she is still cared for by my father at home in Leeds, along with a team of six carers every day. Alzheimer's is a condition which first robbed my Mum of her job, then her driving licence, and subsequently her speech, her ability to walk and now even her ability to swallow properly. She doesn't recognise me or her grandchildren - but she does at least still have a great smile. 

Thanks to my father she has a safe, caring environment. But Alzheimer's has affected his life as much as my mother's - in common with all other families afflicted by this disease.The toll on his day to day life has been enormous: no more holidays, meals out with friends, or even a conversation about a programme on the TV.

There are now 800,000 people living with dementia in Britain - two-thirds of them women. The number of sufferers is set to rise to over a million by 2021. Every year, the Alzheimer's Society donates at least £2 million towards critical research into dementia. It also provides essential support for carers like my Dad - anything from finding a friend locally who is coping with a similar situation or providing financial advice.

In total, the Society provides more than 2,000 services to people affected by dementia across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

So, if you can, please help me to reach my target of £500 for the Alzheimer's Society - however small the donation - and I will keep on training hard and try to run my fastest on the day! If you decide to sponsor me, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box if you are a UK taxpayer. In that way the charity earns even more money.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.