<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">After running my first London Marathon last year for NSPCC, I have decided this year to give all my energy and motivation to a cause very close to my heart: help patients affected by Alzheimer or any other kind of dementia, and their families. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Everyone has heard about Alzheimer, but has most likely not really felt concerned. Until </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">it happens in your family, and changes its life forever. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">11 years ago I lost my mum, when she gave up on her long battle against depression. She was 53. Two years ago, my "other" mother, grand-mother of my 2 little daughters, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer. She was only 60 years old at that time. Not only has this condition deeply affected her life, but also the life of all the family. How unfair and heart-breaking it is to see one of the most amazing, bubbly, smart, lively person you have seen in your life, losing so quickly simple things like writting, dressing herself, cooking... reading stories to her 5 grand-daughters..</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">And you know that nobody can change the course of events: she will "escape" in her own world very soon. One day, only too soon, she won't be able to recognise the persons who were the center of her life. And she will be saying "Hello Sir" to her husband of 41 years. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Ask yourself just one question: how would you cope with this situation? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">That is why charities like Dementia Concern need your help. The family members of Alzheimer&rsquo;s patient become <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all carers in one way or the other. And sometimes they need someone to help, just to be able to have a rest. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Dementia Concern needs my help. And I need your help. I am not ready physically and mentally to run it in a good time (and for those who know me, it is quite painful to admit it!!)...it will be my 5th marathon, and this time i am not trying to beat my best time: I am not sure whether or not I will be able to run it...but I can promise you something: I will finish it, even if it means a long 12 hours walk. Because they all deserve it...</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">They already thank you for your donation</span></p>