Next year, I’ll be joining Owens-Deboos in taking part of Trek26LakeDistrict2026-26miles!

I'm doing it in remembrance for my grandma, we lost her during Covid, during a time when I couldn't attend her funeral because I had Covid. She had a condition called GCA which left her blind overnight and with that, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and in a 5 year period, my family and myself watched the change which was a constant heavy sadness and heartbreaking.

She was the kind of grandma whose love felt constant and safe, like a warm blanket you could wrap around yourself anytime. She was the biggest presence at every easter, birthday, or Halloween. Christmas was always her favourite, and she made each and every one special. Every holiday, she would bake an amazing cake, her baking was something to be in awe of. Every winter she would knit us gloves or scarfs. She remembered everyone’s favourite things and laughed easily. Her hands were soft but steady, always ready to hold yours, or tickle the life out of you, it that made the world feel quieter.

The Alzheimer’s came on quite quickly. She began to repeat questions, to lose small details. Over time, the change became heavier. The warmth was still there, but it flickered, buried under confusion and fear. Sometimes she didn’t recognize the voices, she loved most. Other times, she grew sad or irritable, as if trapped in a room she couldn’t escape. The stories became disorientated, replaced by silence or fragmented thoughts. Her hands still reached out, but they trembled, unsure of who they were holding.

Holidays felt wrong, traditions lost their meaning, conversations became one sided. The family and I learned a new kind of pain: watching someone fade in pieces, knowing there was no sudden goodbye- only a long aching letting go.

She didn’t stop being loving—it was the illness that built walls around her love. Beneath the confusion, the grandma who cared so deeply was still there, even when she could no longer show it the same way. Her love remained, just quieter, harder to reach, and heartbreaking to witness. The heartbreak came in waves to me and my family, we began to grieve someone who was still sitting right in front of us and each visit carried hope and dread- hope that she would remember, dread that she wouldn't. Roles reversed. The woman who once held the family together now needed to be fed, guided, protected. The strong became tired, the patient became frustrated, and guilt followed everyone- guilt for losing patience, for wishing things were easier, for feeling relief when she passed with her family surrounding her.

My friends dad has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and I recognise the same journey i had with my grandma in her and her family, which is when we decided to do this charity walk for the Alzheimer's society. Every step we take helps raises funds for vital services that support families like my friend Amys and for mine like they did during that time for example- advice lines, community groups, dementia advisors who offer essential help every day. The funds we raise go towards immediate care and support and longer-term research working towards better treatment and understanding for the future. Im doing this in honour of my grandma and my friends dad by building awareness about how common dementia is and how many people are affected by it. This walk represents a group of people coming together who understand by sharing the pain to find the strength. Its a beautiful way to turn love, grief and hope into something that makes a real difference.

Please help raise as much as we can in aid of Alzheimer’s society and bring together a community