Alzheimers. What a devastating and awful condition. People will know how it can affect lives, as I lost my beloved wife Judy to early-onset Alzheimers after a 3-year battle, at a young age, in January 2014.  She was brave to the end, despite the devastating affect of losing her speech, and ability to read and write, and her cognitive skills. Her memory wasn't affected so much, she knew people, and me, and for that I was so grateful.

But I couldn't protect her from it, or make it go away. She was always anxious her life would be meaningless, so maybe I can fulfil her desire, to make a difference and help others in their need for help and kindness.

I have somehow found the freedom from having to work, so am now able to do voluntary work for the Alzheimers Society, and for the Worcestershire Association of Carers.  Both were so supportive of us when we needed them. Judy was able to go to the Day Hospice at St Richards for four months, and loved her time there, and the friends she made there.  Until you need help from these places, it is hard to understand just how invaluable they are.

And so I'm looking to start other ways of supporting them, and fund-raising is one way I can help, and you can help too.

My first venture, with the blessing of the team at St Richards, is to drive around England, and visit each Premiership League Football Club, within the space of just 5 days. I'm in the middle, with the help of Tricia at the Hospice, of approaching each club to donate a signed match shirt, signed pennant or other merchandise, or match day tickets.  These will be then donated to St Richards, and for them to then auction them at a fund-raising event of their choice.  We are optimistically anticipating that the shirt auction will raise as much as £4000.  

I'm hoping that friends, family, relatives, acquaintances and anyone affected by this awful illness, might also be generous enough to sponsor me on my road trip, and to help me raise £1000, towards a grand total of £5000. So please, however small an amount, whether £1 or 1 penny, lets join together in supporting those who care, who work ceaselessly, and without whom the likes of Judy would be so much worse off. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Please come back to visit it as I update the challenge, and pass on the link to my page to help me reach my target.

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