As many of you may know, dementia and Alzheimer's disease has had a huge impact on my life for over 28 years. My Grandma, Dorothy, was diagnosed with dementia shortly after I left home for University, she managed one trip down to see me before she stopped living independently, and I sadly lost her in January 2000. She didn't remember me, but remembered her cat Gingo.

Then in 2012 it became clear that my Dad, Bill, was having memory issues, and suffering from the confusion and frustration of no longer being himself. It was a really difficult time. I am an only child, and I was suddenly in charge of my parent. During that time, I was lucky to have amazing friends (those who turned up with a binder of information, came to visit nursing homes with me, and watched me unravel) but I also reached out to the Alzheimer's Society and I remember crying on the phone - and just being so grateful to have someone there - who listened and helped me during a really difficult time.

My Dad was stable and peaceful for several years, but back on my birthday in October 2019, I received the phone call that my Dad had been taken to hospital. I was able to get to him that night, and spent most of the next week with him, and was holding his hand when he passed away a week later.

Grief hurts - physically hurts. Losing someone you love changes your life is so many ways. And coming through the worse parts of that grief has taken so much time, so many tears. Most days, it just sits there, and others days - it is hard, really hard. But the hard days are rarer these days.

In May 2021, almost four years ago, I started working for Alzheimer's Society, I found a job that fit my skillset, and would allow me to develop. I was not expecting the powerful connection that I feel to my job and my workplace. I feel I have a purpose in my work, it has meaning, together, we really make a difference in people's lives. Whether I am collecting at a Forget-me-Not appeal, cheering on a memory walk or marathon, wearing my "merch" starts conversations. People are scared for themselves, their loved ones, the future. Visibly supporting Alzheimer's Society means that I can talk to them about the symptoms checker, the helpline, the Singing for the Brain groups that are near by, or even the amazing groups that have been set up by People Affected by Dementia, for People Affected by Dementia.... it is a privilege.

This time, it is my turn to raise some money. So I am challenging myself to a Trek 26 - well Trek 13 this year, in the Lake District. It is a 13 mile walk, and I realised that I have never walked that far before. I am grabbing some friends, and meeting up with colleagues, so we can walk together, support each other and prompt those conversations that help people in small, significant ways.

So, please can you give a few pounds of sponsorship money, to help keeping those amazing support networks open. To have someone at the end of the phone whenever, someone like me, calls in a crisis. And also to help fund research on how to end dementia, the suffering it causes (and to make us happily obsolete!)

Thank you for your support.

At Alzheimer’s Society we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

We do this by giving help to those living with dementia today, and providing hope for the future.