Widely regarded as one of the world's toughest endurance events, the Montane Spine Race starts at the tiny village of Edale in the Peak District and navigates its way along the 268 mile length of the Pennine Way to finish in Kirk Yetholm in Scotland.  It is an iconic and remote trail, that will challenge me both physically and mentally in the intensity and ferocity of a British winter on an exposed route.  We are largely self-sufficient, navigating and carrying all the kit we need (approximately 10kg), the race is continuous, choosing to rest on the trail only when required.

I was inspired to do this event to recognise the incredible battle my father continues to fight against Alzheimers. It is a cruel, cruel disease,  robbing him of all his faculties, unable to talk and barely able to move.  My Dad defies all the odds, 12 years since he was diagnosed, categorised as "late stage", he still manages to eat all his food, and every now and again there is a smile. He receives the best possible care from some utterly selfless carers that tend to his every need whilst resident in his nursing home.  It breaks my heart every time I see him, to see an intelligent man who was so full of life and love of the outdoors, to see him bed bound and helpless.  I just wish I could do something to make it all better.  But I can't.  Raising money for Alzheimers research is just a small contribution in the fight against dementia.

My Mum and Dad instilled the values that I still live by today.  I too love the outdoors and take time to appreciate that I am able to be out and about, enjoying our stunning countryside and mountains.  When the going gets difficult on the Spine Race, I will pause to reflect on all that my Dad has given and taught me.  Devoting his life to public service, a Doctor in the Royal Army Medical Corps until he was 55, followed by support to the NHS as a consultant microbiologist.  He was diagnosed with Alzheimers within only a couple of years of retiring.  Our family holidays were simple and involved hiking around the Lake District, so every step of those 268 miles is about moving forwards.

I have to be honest that this is a brutal event.  The drop out rate is high.  I will do my very best to complete it, but the distance and the elements will be against me.  Every step will count.