Towards the end of last year, I started walking with my dad and quickly realised how much it supported my mental health and wellbeing. I set myself a target to walk over 1000 miles with my Dad in 2021 and we were aiming to absolutely smash it!

Two weeks into 2021, on our first long distance walk of the year, we slipped on some black ice and Dad broke his leg in two places.

It's been a really tough few months, but I've plodded on with the goal we'd set, and decided to go for it solo.

At the time of writing this, it's April, Dad has just started fully weight bearing again and today we went for our first 0.5mile stroll down the road together 👨‍👧💙

But it will be a while until we're back on our long distance walks over the moors ...and I'm really starting to struggle with any solo long distances to help get the miles in towards my target (mainly because the dog is really crap at small talk!).

Which is why I've signed up to Trek26 and why I need your help!

I want my longest walk of 2021 to be in support of Alzheimer's Society. I want to link my passion of walking, hitting our 1000 mile target (raising £1 for each mile) and supporting a charity that takes my breath away every single day. 

I feel massively privileged to work at the Alzheimer's Society. I am inspired daily by the commitment and passion of the people I work with. But I also see first hand the devastation a dementia diagnosis can bring, to the person, and to their loved ones. The last 12 months have shown us that people affected by dementia have been the worst hit by the pandemic. 1/4 of all coronavirus deaths have been people living with dementia.

Alzheimer’s Society is transforming the landscape of dementia forever. Until the day a cure is found, they work tirelessly to create a society where those affected by dementia are supported and accepted, able to live in their community without fear or prejudice.

And that's why any support you can give, will help both me, and people affected by dementia. I know this trek will help me on my way to achieve my goal. I know that walking 26 miles for Alzheimer’s Society will motivate me every single step of the way (in a way that my dogs small talk skills just cannot achieve!). And I know, and see first hand, just how much your support will help people affected by dementia too.

Your donation will help me towards a goal that I thought wouldn't be possible just two weeks into this year. It will help Alzheimer’s Society be there for every person affected by dementia - your sponsorship will help challenge perceptions, fund research and improve care and support.

For getting to this point of the story, I already think you're pretty amazing. But if you can make a donation (pence or pound), you will be an absolute hero to me, to the challenge Dad and I set out to do, and to every single person affected by dementia 💙

Thank you

Emma (and Emma's Dad) xx