Thanks for coming to my page.  I hope you find my cause worthy of a donation.  But first let me tell you about what has driven me to spend my weekends in lycra (#MAMIL!) and to decide to ride 380km to Brussels, when perfectly adequate travel options exist via the Eurostar!

I was largely unaware of the devastating nature of Alzheimers until a few years ago when my Mum started showing signs of forgetfulness and then, following a severe fall, the disease was diagnosed.  Ironically, this coincided with my seeing Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which left a huge impact given its handling of the subject.  

Seeing someone you are so close to literally dwindle away in front of your eyes is the hardest thing you can imagine - much worse I believe than having them suddenly taken from you, as the pain is slow and the effect cumulative.  Not knowing what you will find when you visit, whether she will recognise you, be affectionate, or lash out in fear or anger.  Having to move Mum out of her home of 50 years where we had such good memories, and put her in a care home was unimaginably tough.  Seeing her decline from an impeccably dressed "silver surfer" to someone who needs even the most basic of hygiene care now is indescribable and I truly hope you are spared the experience.   I am only glad that Dad did not have to witness this, having passed away in 2013.

Unfortunately, more and more of us are not being spared.  Around 850,000 of us in the UK (and an estimated 44 million globally) are affected by dementia, with the vast majority involving Alzheimers.  

We simply must find a cure.  

Signs are encouraging that our brightest minds are on the right track and that restorative treatments may only be a generation away.  But consistent funding and focus are required to turn this into a reality that our children and grandchildren can benefit from - like we ourselves benefitted from the eradication of previous scourges such as Tuberculosis or Whooping Cough. 

If you want more information on dementia and Alzheimers, take 5 mins to look through the Alzheimers Organisation site at the link below:

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=106

If you'd like to get to know Mum a little, take a look at the photos on Box here - and think about your own Mum, Gran, Aunt, or Daughter: 

https://gavinsimpson.box.com/s/2maww3fpo7qsinxg7u9yw3x1jtkys1l6

I hope you will feel able to support the cause and my efforts in September with a donation.  I am committed to reaching my goal of £1500, so please be generous.   

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