My Dad was and still is my Hero. I was one of his precious three girls and he loved us unconditionally from the moment we were born. Dad was a hard working honest gentleman who would help anyone. He worked hard building his business, loved animals horse riding and spent hours walking the countryside.

He would roar with laughter, click his heals, spread open his arms and with the biggest smile say 'this is me'

As I never married or had children, Dad became my best friend. On my days off  from work we would often go walking across the moors and just chat about life. He would say how proud he is of all of his daughters and how lucky he is to have his grandchildren.

'With a contented sigh he would stand looking over the countryside and say 'I love life Michele, I want to live to a hundred'.  You will Dad I would say as we marched along admiring the fantastic views and laughing at my dog Ringo bounding through the heather yipping with joy. 

We went walking to Austria once and roared with laughter after taking a wrong turn up a mountain and literally having  to pull our self up the mountain side with ropes that had been fastened into the ground. We reach the top to find a Ski lift around the other side of the mountain where tourists were leisurely making their way up to the mountain top without the ropes or the company of the odd goat. (True Story)

At first Dads memory lapses were brushed off as a little bit of old age. Dad would say 'strewth Michele, I can see what I want to say but can't say it'. Just describe it Dad I would say and we would find the word move on without a second thought.  

The forgetfulness became worse and tests eventually established Dad had vascular dementia. 

Our lives were turned upside down.

My sisters and I along with friends of Dad worked around the illness so Dad could stay at home as long as possible. Inevitably though the wandering through the night became such an issue that his safety was at risk and we relented and placed him in a care home. 

I promised my Dad I would never let him go to a care home. I always told him he could live with me. I never in a million years thought my strong bright fit and healthy Dad would end up with dementia. I hate the fact I had to break my promise and live with that every day of my life.

Dad is very advanced now but every once in a while he has a flicker of recognition,' Its Michele' he said the other week. Two little words that brought tears to my eyes, warmed my heart and smothered my Dads face in grateful kisses. 

Dad always told all of his Daughters he loved us.

' I Love you Flower, I always will always!'

 My Dad is my world and as he could not celebrate my 50th  Birthday in March this year, This is my crazy way of celebrating my 50th and taking my Dad along for the ride. 

He would love me doing this and I know he would watch with pride as I take to the skies to raise money in the hope of one day eradicating this disease that has rocked my sisters and my world beyond comprehension. 

Thank you for taking the time to read the smallest snippet of my life with my wonderful Dad. Please donate whatever you can every penny helps. Xx