On the 18th April 2027, I will be completing the Manchester Marathon to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. In honour of the years my Great Nan has been diagnosed with this awful disease.

My Nan was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease a few years back and 3 years ago was put into a Care home as she could no longer care for herself.

At the beginning, we truly had no idea what this journey was going to look like. To watch someone lose themselves, and forget about the life that they have built… is truly heartbreaking.

With Dementia, your brain locks up your personality and all of your memories, and doesn’t know how to unlock it.

It is difficult to grieve the loss of someone while they are sitting right in front of you. While they give you that defiant stare, and you notice the light go out of their eyes.

My Nan has the biggest heart, and would do anything for anyone, so I owe every single step of this walk to her. Each day, this cruel disease takes more and more of my Nan away… but if you know my Nan, she truly is a fighter.

This is for you, my best friend. 🤍🌷