After being inspired by some incredible friends and family who ran last year’s London Marathon, I made the foolish decision to sign up for 2025. I was lucky enough to secure a charity place with #TeamARUK, running for Alzheimer’s Research UK—an organisation whose cause is very close to my heart.

In 2018, my mum, Elizabeth, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease at just 59 years old. Watching her slowly slip away has been absolutely heartbreaking. This cruel disease has particularly affected her spacial awareness, word finding and her ability to speak. For someone as sociable and active as my mum, these changes were devastating, altering her daily life in profound ways.

Over time, she began to struggle with conversations, reading, and even using her phone. Living 150 miles away, our daily phone calls during my commute were my lifeline to her. But as the disease progressed, those calls became harder—first requiring me to shout down the phone to get her attention, and eventually, they went unanswered. My mum was no longer able to work the phone.

Though her time she got to spend with Isla, her granddaughter, was tragically short, their moments together were filled with laughter, love, and joy. Every time I saw my mum still able to play with Isla, I cherished it deeply, knowing these precious moments were slipping away.

In December 2022, my mum was hospitalised and sadly, she never returned home. At 64, her care needs had grown beyond what could be managed at home, and she moved into a care facility.

The speed at which Alzheimer’s can ravage a person’s life is horrifying. It steals them away piece by piece, forcing you to mourn small losses after every visit—seeing their eyes struggle to recognise you, until eventually you’re lucky if they know you’re in the room with them.

What makes this even more heartbreaking is that my story is not unique. Over 70,000 people in the UK are living with early-onset dementia. Any donation you can make will go towards vital research to fight this devastating disease. Every contribution, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated.

Thank you so much for reading. ✌🏻🖤