Trek 26 London — Walking for My Dad

I’ve decided to take on Trek 26 London in honour of my late father — a man who was kind, caring, strong, and the reason I am who I am today.

Alzheimer’s did not define my father. He was, and always will be, so much more than his diagnosis.

For the final 15 years of his life, Alzheimer’s slowly took hold. His symptoms began in his 50s, classifying him as a young-onset Alzheimer’s sufferer, and he was later diagnosed with both Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. During that time, my mum became his full-time, registered carer. She fought tirelessly to keep his world as big, familiar, and loving as possible for as long as she could.

As his needs grew, we were incredibly fortunate to receive outstanding support from our local Dementia Intensive Support Team (DIST) when we needed it most. Eventually, my father moved into a specialist home where he received up to 16 hours a day of dedicated one-to-one care — care delivered with compassion, dignity, and respect when we could no longer safely provide it ourselves.

Toward the end of his life, my father moved to a care home closer to me. It was the right place for him to be, and I am profoundly grateful that I was able to spend so much time with him in his final weeks. When he passed away at the end of 2025, I knew I wanted to honour him in a way that reflected not just his illness, but his life.

Why Trek 26?

Trek 26 feels like a particularly poignant challenge for my dad and me.

He could walk for miles and miles — and anyone who knows me knows I’m exactly the same.

When my parents came to live with me so we could share my father’s care, there were several occasions when he would wander. Most of the time I managed to find him — my mum said I had a “sixth sense” — although there were moments when we needed police support. He wasn’t trying to leave us; he was scared, confused, and searching for something familiar. He was always trying to find home.

He would often leave wearing whatever he had on at the time and was known for walking miles in his slippers.

Why Heels?

Some of my family suggested I walk Trek 26 in slippers. Instead, I’ve decided to go a step further.

I will be walking 26 miles in heels, although my family are making me pack my slippers.

This is my way of highlighting the pain, confusion, and sheer endurance that comes with not knowing where you are or how far there is left to go. Every step will hurt — and every step will remind me of what my father lived with every day.

As I walk, I’ll be thinking of the song he used to sing to me:

“These boots are made for walking.”

Why I’m Asking for Your Support

By sponsoring me, you’ll be helping Alzheimer’s Society continue their vital work supporting people living with dementia and the families who love them — families like mine.

If you’re able to donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

If you can’t donate, sharing this page means just as much.

And if you simply want to see pictures of me questioning my life choices in high heels… that’s absolutely allowed too.

Thank you for helping me walk this journey for my dad — and for everyone still searching for home.