Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page.

In November 2010 I will be taking part in the Alzheimer's Society Himalayan trekking challenge, and I’m hoping to raise a good whack of cash in the process for the Alzheimer's Society. Part of the money raised will help fund my trip, but the lion’s share will go straight to the Society. I would be enormously grateful for any contributions, however modest. (It will all mount up).

I’ll be undertaking a 6 day trek in , in the foothills of the Anapurna mountain range, with 6-8 hours of trekking each day, and camping at night at altitudes of up to 3000m. It is somewhere I’ve always wanted to go, and it will be a fabulous treat for me just before my 50^th birthday in December.

I’ll be undertaking various fundraising activities throughout the summer, culminating in running 10 miles in the Great South Run in Portsmouth in October, (possibly rather a rash decision – it will be a huge challenge for me). Hopefully the training should help prepare me for the trek too.

I am supporting the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of Freddy, a beloved and inspirational colleague who introduced me to psychotherapy and encouraged me to train as a psychotherapist. It was devastating that someone with such a lively and creative mind could be so incapacitated by dementia.

It’s a sobering thought that one in three of us will end up with some form of dementia, Alzheimer’s being the commonest.... yet despite this shocking statistic, comparatively little is being invested to combat this disease. The Society funds research, provides a network of support for people with dementia and their carers, and campaigns for a better future for everyone affected by dementia.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a taxpayer. So it’s a very efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

I'd really appreciate your support. Thank you for your kindness.

Louisa