Alzheimer's has impacted my life for over two decades.

My Dad's symptoms of Alzheimer's started when he was aged 63. My Mum cared for him at home for 14 years until she could no longer cope with his complex needs. At this point he did not recognise my mum, me or my sister. Dad went into a care home for 6-weeks to give Mum respite. Sadly he deteriorated really fast and died within this respite period in March 2015.

I am so proud of Mum for caring for Dad fulltime and keeping him on the bowling green, his favourite hobby, up until 6 weeks before his death.

Tragically in December 2016 Mum started to show signs of short term memory loss. In May 2019 she, too, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Mum's deterioration has been rapid and she is now immobile, incontinent and has lost all communication. She is unable to feed herself and is losing her swallow. She no longer recognises me and my sister.

Mum is now on an end of life care plan. We have already emotionally lost the Mum we loved and who loved and cared for us all our lives and we are in that phase of waiting for the inevitable physical loss.

Alzheimer's is cruel and slowly robs you of your loved ones whilst they lose all dignity. This disease means you lose your loved ones twice.

I know exercise is an important preventative factor and I enjoy a challenge.

I completed Ride London (100 miles) in May 2023 and am due to participate in the Serpentine Swim (2 miles) in September 2023. I have now been given the opportunity by the Alzheimer's Society to run The London Marathon in April 2024. This gives me the ultimate challenge of attempting to complete The London Classics within 1 year.

I would be so grateful for any donations you can give as I embark on this challenge in support of the Alzheimer's Society.

With this fundraising we can only hope that further research will prevent other families experiencing the heart wrenching double loss of a loved one that Alzheimer's inflicts.

With heartfelt thanks for your support

Clairex