On November 7th 2009 my Grampy, Ronald Arthur Ogles, passed away at the age of 75; a huge loss to my Nan, Mum, Uncle and all of our family.This date marked the end of a 15 year fight with Alzheimer's, my Grampy having been diagnosed on the day of his 60th birthday. 

Our very special Nan did everything within her power to keep things normal, continuing to take Grampy on their usual holidays abroad, supporting him to work in their business and generally bearing the brunt of this terrible disease. 

For years Nan, Mum and my Uncle Steve continued to do everything they could so that Grampy could do the things he enjoyed and the day to day things we so often take for granted. Some of their close friends also went above an beyond to help and support. Through this period of deterioration it became increasingly difficult for my Nan, yet she bravely continued doing everything she could. 

In this time most of Nan and Grampy's lifetime savings, which were meant for retirement, went on drugs at the time not offered on the NHS. These very expensive drugs, including Aricept, fall into the category of Cholinesterase inhibitors that treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgement and other thought processes. To this date, more than 9 years after my Grampy's death, there are still no medications that can cure Alzheimer's or stop it from progressing. I hope that some day soon research will uncover a way to stop this cruel disease and the huge impact it has on sufferers and their families.

Seven years after first diagnosis Grampy had a stroke of some kind, he went into hospital able to walk and talk and came out unable to do either. From this time in 2002 until his death in 2009 he was bed-nursed at home by my Nan, Mum and Uncle. This was a very sad and difficult time for the family and I can only begin to imagine how difficult it was.

I want to play some small part in funding the research needed to one day cure this disease, so that others don’t have to go through this experience. I am thankful for such a wonderful family and miss our amazing Grampy every day. Family life is not the same without him. Finally, to my Nan we are all so very proud of you.

In my fundraising I aim to run the Cambridge Half-Marathon as fast as my legs will take me. I have never run this sort of distance before and have always convinced myself that long distance running was not for me (short legs and all that). Three weeks later I am going to Nepal to complete an 18-day trek of the Annapurna Circuit – whilst this is not directly linked to fundraising it will be part of a challenging month!

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