Hi everyone,

I thought that jumping out of a plane would be the last of my crazy fundraising ideas, yet here I am having decided to sign myself up for the London Marathon next spring in aid of Alzheimer’s Society. Having never even completed Couch-to-5k, I thought the logical next step would be to run 26.2 miles. For anyone that knows me, this goes beyond the realms of my irrationality but it’s for a cause that I love and admire.

I’m sure most of us know someone who has suffered from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, whether that be a direct sufferer or a family member having to experience its destruction. Three out of four of my amazing grandparents have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, two of which are sadly not here to see me try and cross the finish line in memory of them. It shouldn’t feel like a ‘given’ that Alzheimer’s is inevitable, yet given that one person in the UK develops Alzheimer’s every three minutes, I often struggle to feel any other way. Alzheimer’s took memories from those I love and tried to taint the memories I hold of them, and so I’m trying to do whatever I can in the hope that one day, no one else has to experience this.

While new treatments are being developed with increasing speed, they are not coming quickly enough for people affected by Alzheimer’s now. Nearly 100,000 people will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by the time I run in April, which is why it is so important for me to raise as much as I can. Alzheimer’s Society’s funded research aims to improve diagnosis, develop new treatments, and improve care and support for people living with Alzheimer’s. Since it started funding research in 1989, Alzheimer’s Society has invested over £85 million in over 600 research projects, with 143 drugs now in trials for the disease. Your donation will help save tens of thousands of lives through research, bring billions into trials for treatments and provide hands-on, face to face support for sufferers and carers and hope for treatments before symptoms take hold.

I’m dedicating this challenge to my Nanny Josie, the bestest friend I’ll ever have. My Grandad Joyce, the sweetest man (who would run this marathon with me if he could (and faster!)). My Nanny Sarah, who I wish knew that I was doing this for her.

There are so many brilliant causes to donate to and I appreciate money is tight – so even if it is just a re-share, thank you so so much. I appreciate you x