Last year dementia took my mum, Carol. Now my dad, Sammy, is living with the same cruel disease. That’s why, at nearly 50 and having never run a marathon — or even a half marathon — before, I’m taking on the Rob Burrow Marathon.

I’m doing this to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society and to help support the vital work they do for families facing dementia.

Losing my mum, Carol, last year was incredibly hard. Watching someone you love slowly fade away is something I wouldn’t wish on any family. Sadly, the journey isn’t over for us — my dad, Sammy, is now also living with the disease.

Seeing first-hand the impact dementia has on people and their families is why I wanted to do something that could help others going through the same thing.

The Rob Burrow Marathon felt like the perfect way to do it. It’s about resilience, courage and community — values that really resonate with me and with our family’s love of Rugby League.

To make it even more meaningful, I’ll be running every mile in my dad Sammy’s number 7 Rugby League shirt that he wore in the 1978 Challenge Cup Final. It’s a proper old-school shirt — thick, heavy and more like a jumper than modern running gear — so it will definitely make the miles even tougher. But wearing it will remind me exactly why I’m doing this.

Training for this marathon won’t be easy, but every mile will be for Carol, for Sammy, and for the millions of families affected by dementia.

If you can spare anything at all to support Alzheimer’s Society and help fund vital support and research, I’d be incredibly grateful.

Thank you so much for your support.