Thanks to my friends and colleagues at TCS iON, last autumn I was offered a place in the 2024 London Marathon. I have chosen to run in aid of Dementia Support, registered charity number 1158640.

My Mum lives with Alzheimer’s disease, which means that most noticeably her memory isn’t all that it once was. However, Alzheimer’s disease affects the people with it, their friends and family in a myriad of ways, which aren’t always obvious at the outset. The support and advice of people who work with families affected by dementia is invaluable, as is a supportive group of similarly affected people. Luckily, in West Sussex near my parents, there is a charity, Dementia Support, who operate a one stop support hub, Sage House. https://www.dementiasupport.org.uk/sage-house

They have and continue to be a great help for my parents, but their annual running costs are £1M, of which they only receive 4% from direct government support – the remainder has to come from fundraising by the charity.

I have set myself the ambitious target to try to raise £5,000. Any money I raise up to this amount I will personally match, to try to raise a final total of £10,000, to meet 1% of their annual running costs. So I am asking, please, if you can spare any money to help me towards my fundraising target, please make a donation. Your contribution will make a real difference to the lives of the people supported by Dementia Support through Sage House.