In 2018, via various fundraising activities, Middlechild Productions have pledged to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. 

The most physically demanding of all the proposed events started on Saturday, April 7th, 2018, when four of us began our attempt to each run a whopping 811 miles (1305km) in just 52 weeks: The exact road-running distance between the most northerly point of the UK, John O’Groats in Scotland, to the most southerly point, Land’s End in Cornwall. 

The 52 week challenge ends on April, 7th 2019. Each of us will need to cover an average of around 16 miles per week (25km), in order to successfully complete the challenge within the time limit and run the ‘length of the county’. You can follow our day to day progress on Instagram (@MCPrunsGB) - www.instagram.com/mcprunsgb/?hl=en

None of the four taking part, Andrew Eastel, David Sumnall, Dan Gilmore and Kyle Edmunds, are in any way 'super-fit'. It's an eye-watering distance to cover, for such a long time, on untested, ageing (in most cases) legs! We're taking the challenge on in our spare time; morning and evening runs on the streets and in the parks around our homes,  at lunchtimes near the office, or if needs be, on the treadmill at the gym. Whenever we can find the time, and the energy(!), to keep clocking up the miles. There's no time to rest. Any let up in the intensity will only increase the amount of miles we'll need to get through each week to successfully complete the challenge. So come rain or shine, holidays, illness or hangovers, you can rest assured we'll be pounding the pavement somewhere!

Of course, all of this effort is for an incredibly good cause and one we hope you can help us raise as much money for as possible...     

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. There are more than 520,000 people in the UK with Alzheimer's. It is a progressive disease. This means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, more symptoms develop. Although memory difficulties are usually the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's, someone with the disease will also go on to develop problems with other aspects of thinking, reasoning, perception or communication. Over time, the person will need more and more day-to-day support from those who care for them. 

Alzheimer's touches so many people, as Clare, Middlechild's Head of Production knows only too well;

“Last year, my Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Within 3 days of the diagnosis, someone from the Alzheimer's Society phoned my Mum to let her know the support that they could offer to both her and my Dad. Since then, someone has phoned monthly to check up on how both my Mum & Dad are, to make sure that they have access to what they need and to ensure they understand the services available to them which include various support groups and activities. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's can be draining both emotionally and physically and it is really comforting for my Mum to be able to speak to people who understand what she is experiencing and can empathise.”

The Alzheimer's Society's National Dementia Helpline offers information, advice and emotional support to people affected by dementia. Their 3,000 services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland offer information, care and support to people with dementia, their families, friends and carers.

We think this is an extremely worthwhile cause for us to support and if we can raise £5000 from taking on this challenge we will be able to support the Alzheimer's Society manage the impact and subsequent difficulties that a diagnosis will have on an individual and their family. Thank you for your help.