So, what’s the deal?...

On Sunday 5th April 2026 brothers Stuart, Ewan and Neil Aitken are walking from the top of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak, to Glasgow, Scotland’s greatest city. They’ll be hiking from Nevis, down the West Highland Way, covering 100 miles and 18,000 feet of ascent in 5 days.

That sounds ridiculous. Why are they doing that?...

They’re doing it for their mum and for the charity "The Dementia Trust".

Mums are great. What happened to their mum?...

After a steady decline in cognitive function their mum, Aileen, was diagnosed with dementia in August 2024 at the age of 72. A mix of vascular dementia and Alzheimer's has seen Aileen slowly lose her ability to live the life in retirement that she truly deserved.

Ah shucks. How is she doing now?...

Aileen is now a resident at Cochrane Nursing Facility in Johnstone, Scotland receiving the care she needs to live a safe, warm and sociable life. She receives regular visits from friends and family and although she can no longer communicate properly, her smile tells us she’s doing ok.

That’s good she’s doing ok. What was she like?...

Aileen spent most of her working life teaching young people with additional support needs. Always putting others first, she has been a fantastic mum, wife, sister and friend to many... not to mention Grandmother to 9 amazing grandchildren!

Sadly, her youngest grandchildren will never see the woman she used to be; snatched away by this horrible disease.

Dementia sounds crap. So, what’s the Charity?...

Yes, dementia is crap. More research is needed to find better treatment and perhaps one day even a cure…

The Dementia Trust funds innovative projects which aim to improve life for people with dementia and their caregivers. They strive to improve understanding and generate new ideas to make change happen.

If you’d like to know more about The Dementia Trust, please visit their website: www.dementiatrust.org