In 2016 I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Alan, the father of my close friend Lainy. Alan exuded intellect without arrogance and was a warm and welcoming person. He felt like more than just the parent of a friend, he was a great person to be around.

When Alan began his fight with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) it was devastating to see such an amazing person cruelly being weakened so quickly by a devastating condition. The Richardson family are an amazing and tough unit and it was sad to see the effect this had on the whole family.

Al lost his fight against PSP on January 10th this year. His family are planning a 5k walk supporting the work of the PSPA, (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association) the organisation dedicated to creating a brighter future for those affected by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), helping to provide the compassionate, coordinated support they deserve.

I will be joining them and strapping an additional 20kg to my back for extra effort on Sunday August 24th, 11.00am at Tees Barrage.

The 5k walk is an event to celebrate our cherished Alan in a powerful statement of solidarity and hope for future sufferers of PSP and CBD. Together, we will raise awareness and funds that will directly impact the lives of individuals and families navigating the challenges Al faced. It was really comforting hearing at Alan’s funeral how much the PSPA and other organisations had been a beacon of hope in such hard times for the Richardsons.