The elderly are often ignored and neglected, with 940,000 people aged over 65 feeling lonely and 270,000 often go week without speaking to a friend or family member. In addition to being correlated with depression, isolation is also associated with an acceleration of frailty and an increased risk of stroke, dementia, and heart disease.

Age UK K&C looks to tackle loneliness amongst the elderly residents in the borough, through arranging social activities and clubs, creating a support network to those who can't get out and about. Additionally, Age UK K&C work with local GP surgeries and social care services to improve the health and wellbeing of the elderly community, and ensure unpaid carers are also socially supported.

I am running the London marathon with an aim to raise £2,000 to support of the initatives that Age UK K&C are currently running and to raise awareness for some of the challenges that the elderly community face.