My grandma Oti is my favourite person. Sadly, for the last seven years of her life, she suffered from dementia. She passed away over two years ago, and it is hard to forget how unfair it was for her to spend the last years of her life with this condition.

There are amazing people out there doing incredible research to overcome Alzheimer's. Most of the current funding is focused on finding a ‘cure’ or treatment for this condition. But, not as much is being done to support those currently facing the consequences of it. It can be an incredibly isolating and lonely experience, disorienting and extremely upsetting. Often, those who suffer from it have moments of realisation that they cannot remember things most of the time. It is a truly cruel experience. My grandma had amazing family support from her children. But, this is far from the case for many in the UK, primarily due to family dispersal. My work as an undergraduate and postgraduate student has focused on looking for realistic caring alternatives in our current built environment, healthcare systems and society's beliefs.

Now that my thesis work is over, I will be running the Cambridge half-marathon (5/3/23), the Brighton marathon (2/4/23)  and the Thames Path ultramarathon, 100km, (9/9/23) to raise money for a charity that is working to help those suffering of Alzheimer's until further healthcare developments take place.

Alzheimer’s Society is transforming the landscape of dementia. Until we find a cure, those affected by dementia are supported and accepted, able to live in their community without fear or prejudice by this charity.

PS: The JustGiving Page says the Brighton half-marathon is the primary fundraising event, but this is a glitch on the page!! The events are the Cambridge half, Brighton full and Thames’ Path ultramarathon.

Update:

Finally, 9 months after deciding to take on this challenge for Alzheimer's Society, the 3 races are complete!

The Cambridge half was a blast. The Brighton marathon was tough, I found later on in the day I had Covid while running (although I managed to squeeze in under 4h).

Yesterday, the big the day came: 100km on the hottest day of the year, Putney to Henley along the Thames. It was very hard and the heat was a big challenge, but I made it to the end! Huge thank you for all your donations and support.

Maria

A new donations page was made due to race compliance fundraising rules, the link to the latest JustGiving page can be found below:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Maria-Mendoza-Guerrero1?utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_fundraiser_page_donation_received_-_nth_donation&utm_content=37ce6d69-4562-46ae-a88c-0848f157ac81&utm_medium=email&utm_source=postoffice&utm_term=1694687624918