As some of you who read this will know, my Mother, Anna Macdonald, is living with dementia and has done so since her early seventies when she first showed signs of having Alzheimer's disease. Her mother and aunts also developed Alzheimer's and across the wider family, we have seen the sadness which this has lead to. Dementia has reduced her ability to socialise with friends and family and to be the active and generous-hearted person that she always was.

I am a keen supporter of the Alzheimer's Society and the research that they are doing to find the cause and a cure for this distressing disease of the brain. As such I will be taking on this 13 mile trek across beautiful Dartmoor, where there will be scenery which I know my Mother would love, and hopefully the odd moorland pony to befriend. Being almost housebound, my Mother can no longer enjoy such adventures; I will live it for her. 

Not only do I intend to raise funds for this hugely worthwhile cause, but I am also on a mission to raise awareness for dementia. Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, talks and acts about the condition. There are currently over 3 million Dementia Friends across England and Wales who have the know-how to help people with dementia feel understood and included in their community. 18 months ago I signed up as a volunteer to become a Dementia Friends Champion; I raise awareness and promote greater understanding for those living with dementia by delivering Dementia Friends Information Sessions in my community and to family and friends. 

This challenge gives me an opportunity to spread the word about Dementia Friends and I encourage you all to become a Dementia Friend yourselves. Please visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk or speak to me if you would like to know how to do this.

Thank you for your support and for reading this far.