ABOUT US - In 2019 I met Simon McDermott from the fundraising team of Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) Simon is  the son of “the song-a-minute man”. An elderly gentleman, a very talented singer a fantastic performer that is sadly living with Alzheimer's.  Simon was at our place of work and he was launching our new charity partnership (between Diligenta and Alzheimer’s Research UK). We had a little chat and we soon got talking about my friends that have been massively effected by this cruel disease. I wanted to help raise funds and awareness and things went on from there. 

Myself and my close friend Jill Fabian have hiked all over the UK and the French Alps together. A couple of days later (and with not much persuasion) we both signed up for The Dalai Lama Himalayan Trek, in India to take place in October 2020. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic, the trip was unfortunately cancelled. To say that we were devastated is an understatement. All that training and fundraising couldn't go to waste!? :-) . We chatted at length and decided that we were still up for a challenge of some sorts....All was not lost as we were able to transfer to 4 UK treks in 2021. Still working with Charity Challenge and raising funds for the same Charity. We are calling the new challenge the 4 Nations Challenges one in each country of the UK

1. Scotland Edinburgh 7 summits - 22 miles & 900m climb COVID Cancelled
2. England Jurassic coast day trek - 22 miles (1 day) COVID Cancelled 
3. Ireland Giants causeway trek - 26 miles 1000m climb (1 day) COMPLETED
   
4. Wales Climb Snowdon @ night  (tallest mountain in Wales) 

• Llyn Pennisular Coast Path - 84 miles (7 days) COMPLETED

ABOUT THE CHARITY - Alzheimer’s Research is the UK's leading dementia research charity and they fund research projects into the causes, treatments and potential cures for Alzheimer's Disease and dementia. They also provide information about risk reduction backed by the scientific research they support. There are currently no medications that can slow down or reverse Alzheimer's condition.   

Dementia research is massively underfunded - there is just 1 dementia researcher for every 4 cancer researchers. In 2016 over £645million was spent on cancer research while dementia - now the UK's biggest cause of death - had just £54 million.

Alzheimer's Research UK is challenging the way people think about dementia, bringing together the people and organizations who can speed up progress, and investing in research to make life-changing breakthroughs possible.