Since losing my father in law to Lewy Body Dementia, I have been passionate to engage in a challenge that would help to raise awareness and significant funds to support The Lewy Body Society.

As most people know, I don't do things by halves and after signing up to trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC), I looked a little further into what was actually entailed and to say I am slightly terrified is an understatement! 120k, suspended bridges (I hate heights), steep climbs and of course the horrendous altitude sickness are just a few of the challenges ahead!

When my father in law, John Scott (better known as Bampa) started to become poorly, his condition was first thought to be Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease - it was only when reading an article about the late Robin Williams who had taken his own life due to confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety and personality changes that the correlations between Robin's symptoms and Bampa's symptoms came to light. Shortly after highlighting this connection, Bampa was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia.

The Lewy Body Society was founded in 2006 to support research into Lewy body dementia and to raise awareness of the disease. They aim to educate the public, the medical professions and those in decision-making positions about the disease, which unfortunately is still not well known despite it being the second most common type of neurodegenerative dementia in older people and accounting for approximately 15% of all cases of dementia.

To raise the funds required for a charity place for EBC, I am reaching out to everyone I know and who knew Bampa to offer any support in helping to raise the funds. I am planning on a charity BBQ, charity behaviour events, a raffle (which many of the local businesses have already agreed to support), cake sale, my daughter Fifi is going to sell homemade lemonade and pom poms and my son Alfie (pictured with Bampa) is going to arrange a sponsored pump track ride.

If you are able to join me, run your own event in your area (e.g. coffee morning, car wash, movie night, pub quiz, sponsored walk or ride) or donate whatever you can afford, every penny will go towards this amazing cause.

Thank you in advance,

Ali