Well after completing the Trek26 Snowdonia twice now, thought it was time I ran the 26 miles rather than walked it!

Mom would think i'm mad as a box of frogs! But such an important cause to me, so it's well worth the hard work and effort to train and raise some, much needed, money for the Alzheimer's Society.

As many of you know, my mom passed away December 16th, 2023, a few weeks before her 70th birthday. Her dementia symptoms started in her mid-sixties, with an official diagnosis taking some time and being made at 68. The diagnosis was mixed dementia; Alzheimer's and vascular. She was prescribed the latest medication, that was the one and only option available. The medication didn't slow down the progression, although it did help with the depression and anger outbursts so that was something. Mom seemed a lot happier in her last few months even though her symptoms were becoming really quite severe and progressing very quickly; terrifying and so upsetting to witness. The loss of facial recognition, spatial awareness, getting lost, forgetting to eat and drink etc. the list goes on. Mom actually passed away at home, peacefully and quickly in the early hours after enjoying watching a film with her partner. She'd had a lovely day, meeting a friend for lunch and Christmas shopping. She actually died from a pulmonary embolism, likely caused by a DVT in her leg that, due to the dementia, she didn't feel or see the symptoms of.

To have been on this journey with my mom, from the early symptoms, pushing for referrals, tests and results, numerous medical visits and appointments, implementing new routines, safety strategies, coping mechanisms (for mom and us as family), personal care etc., it was not easy and very upsetting and traumatic at times. This is why fundraising is so important to me. A way to put my grief to good use and focus on trying to help others to not have to go through the same thing that my mom and family have been through. Treatments are improving but it's slow and, same as most things these days, the answer is money. More money is needed to keep going with the research into causes, prevention and treatments.

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.