My story is no better or worse than anyone else’s, sadly just another person feeling cheated by the disease that is Dementia.

My dad, Ted, was diagnosed in 2017 with Alzheimer’s and I remember feeling completely blindsided by it. Recent changes that we had noticed in him were not and could not possibly be Alzheimer’s. I simply thought he was a little bit down in the dumps and had ‘lost his mojo’. I felt totally unprepared for ‘that word’ - Alzheimer’s. I relied heavily on my sister at the time to understand and accept it all.

And although I was heartbroken for my proud little, stereotypical Yorkshireman of a dad, I for a long time, very selfishly felt that I had been robbed by Alzheimer’s. Robbed of so many things that I had taken for granted, that my future would hold. Of memories with my dad being himself, of the opportunity for my dad to one day walk me down the aisle on my wedding day and be present. That one day I would have a family of my own, who would all know and remember him as the wonderful, quiet yet witty, lovely man he is. I felt like I had been cheated of so many memories that we were still yet to make. But life doesn’t always go to plan.

We are incredibly lucky as a family that we have the support of one another, on days when we feel at a loss, and for when we are scared of seeing him slip away that little bit more. For days when our heart hurts on behalf of our Teddy T, for the frustration, fear and loss he undoubtedly feels.

One thing that makes me feel even luckier is that my oldest friend, Harriet is also on this same unfortunate journey as myself and many many others.

From the very day she heard of my dads diagnosis, Harriet was there to give me a hug, to tell me she was always here and that ‘she got it’ due to her dad too having been diagnosed a few years previous.

Harriet and I decided to sign up and do the Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk this year and walk it with our puppies, Ottie and Maggie and walk it for our dads.

The reason why we want to do this is simple, to raise as much money as possible to support the Alzheimer’s Society and the amazing work they do. To raise awareness of Alzheimer’s, to educate people, and to continue the research they do in an attempt to find a cure. And most importantly, to help them be able to continue the work they do, supporting those diagnosed and their families and the carers who are not as lucky to have a family and friends like I have.

For those of you that know Harriet and I well enough, know that we absolutely love a ridiculous PE challenge. And so yes, we know the 7km walk is not one that will be physically demanding of us. But instead it is one that is we will be braving together - just two best friends walking for their favourite guys.

Any change you can spare to help us raise money for this incredible charity would be really appreciated.

Kirsty xxx