Hello!

Here's the deal. I'm walking 26 miles from Stonehenge to Avebury to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. I can't really run and I'm too much of a wuss to do something like a parachute jump, but I wanted to do something that was a bit of a challenge and I think walking 26 miles is, right? Given that my idea of a walk is to the bar and back, I think it is anyway.

I've done some fundraising for them before as it's a cause very close to my heart. I helped care for my dear grandad who had dementia when I was a teenager and it was quite frankly a horrible and upsetting time and one that I'll never forget. Having someone you love not recognise you and become agressive towards you is awful, especially when there's abosolutely nothing you can do about it.

I didn't really understand properly back then; not realising that it's an illness like any other. But unlike other illnesses it's not visible and therefore goes undetected, slowly getting worse until it completely takes over. And because there's still a lot of stigma towards these type of things it goes under the radar and many are still very ignorant to the effect it has on the lives of sufferers and their carers.

The work the Alzheimer's society do in supporting sufferers and their families is invaluable. Most people require 24hr care, as did my grandad; it's incredibly hard and unless you've been in that situation you'll never truly understand. As with everything, the support they provide is reliant on financial aid and that's why I'd like to help with some fundraising.

My grandad might have passed away 13 years ago but there's not a day that goes by when I don't think about him; the most intelligent man you could have met, an RAF pilot who'd travelled the world and was given an OBE for his efforts during the war. Seeing him deteriorate and not remember anything of his wondeful life or even recognise his wife was heartbreaking. It really is a most cruel disease. And one that could affect any of us.

If I can help someone in a similar position get a bit of support then walking 26 miles really isn't anything at all and the least I can do.

And that's where you guys come in.....naturally I want your money. You know the drill.

HELP ME OUT!

Michelle x