Just under 12 years ago, my lovely dad, Bryn, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

For many years, Dad would say this won’t beat me, I won’t let it beat me, but sadly, the disease took hold of Dad, and I would say the true devastating impact of the disease peaked around four to five years ago.

Now, in a care home in Llangollen, Dad is looked after by an incredible team of people. People who were once strangers have become family.

Mam continues to see Dad pretty much every day, helping with meal times and, what I say is so important, just being present.

I could write a million words to describe Dad, and I would never run out of words like lovely, kind, generous, funny, and it’s those words that hurt so much as we miss those moments with Dad.

He’s still here, and we get so many glimmers, and we are grateful for them.

Dad will be 80 on the 1st February 2026, and as a family, we’ve all agreed there is nothing that Dad needs right now other than continued love, support, and, as I said, being present, but there is so much needed when it’s come to funds to support the research into this devastating disease. So, for Dad’s 80th birthday, we are going to donate any money from family and friends to kick off mine and Tracey’s Great North Run fundraiser!

To be part of the Alzheimer’s research Great North Run team is an absolute honour.

We will give it our all, both in terms of the run and the fundraising, in the hope that one day we will help to find a cure for this disease.

Thank you 🤩

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