Just before my dad died last year, I started plodding the streets again as a bit of “therapy”! Nowhere near the pace of previous years mind, and it struck me that it was coming up to 30 years since I completed the London marathon.  After his death I thought I would have one last grand hurrah before I finally hang up the running shoes and slip into my mahabis!   Although I have run the Great North Run a few times before, (picture here is 1985!), this time it’s different.  For the first time I am actively running to raise funds for charity.

I don’t really think that I need to explain this to many of you people, especially to those of you who are my family and my closest friends.  My family and several others have recently been affected, (some still being affected), by the condition that is Dementia. 

As we are fortunate to live longer years than previous generations, so the percentage of people suffering with Dementia is growing and sure to affect even more of us in the upcoming years.   

It is not all bad news. 
There has been some very encouraging research recently around Alzheimer’s which is responsible for about 60 percent of those with Dementia.  Scientists with research are making great discoveries into its cause and hence possible prevention, however, other causes such as vascular strokes can also bring on the condition.   This was the case with one of my aunties.   At that time of her illness the family and myself were very fortunate to have the services and support of a specialised Dementia nurse.  These are referred to as Admiral Nurses.   

Sometimes, you just have to clearly state the obvious for it not to get lost in the mayhem and confusion that the condition brings.  Simply put – Dementia is not just about the loss of mental capability to that individual. It also affects those family, friends and carers of that individual and they to also need support, education and guidance to cope with care.  That support was there for us at an extremely difficult time.  It is something that we were very grateful for, and I know others reading this will also have appreciated the role of the Admiral nurse, and sadly others here will undoubtably need their help in the future.

This is why I am running for Dementia UK.

Dementia UK needs funds to continue to train and provide Admiral nurses to assist families in the care of their loved ones at such a difficult time. 

Provided from this page are links that show the work that they do.

As for my family and some of my close friends – well – we know all about all that support.

Even though my family and friends are dispersed throughout the country, the situation for the need for care is repeated everywhere. As a result, we are collectively over the summer of 2019, looking to raise as much as possible for Dementia UK, both as a way of saying thank you and of maintaining that support
for others.

So, although I am doing the running, we are all committed to doing our bit to the fundraising cause. 

Hence its quite probable that you have been shared this link via social media by one of my supporters.

Our aim is to try to raise £1000 in donations over the summer, with the Great North Run taking place on the 8^th September
2019.  If you can contribute you are making a contribution to the ongoing support to Dementia sufferers and the their families.

Can I please say a massive thank you to everyone for their
support.

I will keep you updated with progress.

Many thanks

Les

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