On Sunday 2nd of October 2011, at the NEC Cycle Show, which I visited with my son Jake, I brought back information on a charity challenge, that was to take place in Oct/Nov 2012. I ruminated and discussed the challenge with my son and my husband David, then ruminated and cogitated some more. The challenge is to cycle from Vietnam to Cambodia covering approximately 470 kms (330miles) to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimers Society.

Dementia is a dreadful condition. It is not a natural part of ageing. It eventually robs people of their 'own personal self' and their dignity. It is caused by diseases of the brain and currently there is no cure.

The challenge is personal to me as my lovely mum has just passed away on the 16th December 2011, following 2 and a half years suffering with his dreadful condition. Following a fall, my mum, went from an independent 86 year old, living alone with very minimal assistance, no carers, attending older peoples club and church on a weekly basis to needing absolutely everything being done for her. After 2 and a half years with mum living with me, Dave and Jake and then my sister, mum finally had to go into a specialist dementia nursing home, where after 10 weeks she passed away.

The time during the diagnosis, which took around 4 months, involved times where mum would cry around the same time each day, but would be unable to say why she was upset - 'classic sundowners'. She would forget the direction for the toilet at each episode. She would get frustrated and agitated, one day desperate for scissors to cut off her buttons on her waistcoat. Tearing tissues up and wanting to go to bed, then get up again 10 minutes later. This would occur anything between 3 and 8 times during the evening. Mum would wake me, to get her up to the toilet at night, again up to 8 times per night. Mum was unable to get up from the chair herself and required assistance, but she would forget this and would attempt to get up, sliding onto the floor. Mum refused to go to bed and would climb out of bed forgetting that she could not stand up and would end up on the floor. Eventually she found comfort sleeping in a riser recliner chair. Mum was unable to be left alone for any period, longer than 10 minutes, as she would shuffle to the end of the riser recliner chair and sit, perched on the foot end, tettering between chair and floor. Each worsening period, any infections would have to be excluded - as a senior nurse in the NHS, I was constantly looking for a cause for the worsening confusion, disorientation and agitation. I was almost driven to distraction checking, not accepting that it was the Dementia.

I registered for the event but did not publicise the fact I wanted to do it, because I thought that the Alzheimers Society would exclude me, as I am overweight and have a high BMI. I did say on the form that the personal challenge for me is to lose at least 3 stone to at least enable me to physically do the event. The Alzheimers Society events team have replied with my pack...to get started.....Oh no....doubts creep in!

No doubts here.... I am determined to lose the weight, raise the funds and cycle 470kms. I am 47 at my next birthday. I have just completed a Masters Degree in Advanced Practice in Health and Social care, whilst looking after mum. I dealt with Breast Cancer in 2008 requiring radical surgery. David and Jake were there for me, along with my mum. My son Jake, a keen mountain biker, is going to help me train and has already informed me that I need 'clip ins' (whatever they are) , to maximise my energy whilst cycling.

I have dear friends, neighbours and colleagues, who find themselves in the same position with both mum and dad having the condition. As a carer, it is soul destroying seeing your loved parent, suffering, with a reducing means of communication and cognition.

It is with my mum, but also others I have known in my capacity as friend, colleague and nurse that I take on this challenge fully........watch this space....Xx

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.