Supporting Alzheimer’s Society

In 2026 I’m raising funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s Society by taking on a few challenges:

Yorkshire 3 Peaks (24 miles) – March 21st

COMPLETED

Manchester Great Run Half Marathon – May 31st with the powerhouse Thomas Mullin

The Welsh 3000 – June 6th: 24-hour, 50km trek across 15 highest peaks in Snowdonia

Until recently my awareness of Alzheimer’s was fairly peripheral. I first saw friends become carers for parents who could no longer remember them. Then my Uncle Ron was diagnosed and and his decline was swift and heartbreaking. Around the same time, my Dad, George Mullin, was also diagnosed.

Those who know my Dad will tell you he’s happily repeated the same stories for decades and has been calling me by various relatives’ names for as long as I can remember. So he’s either a medical miracle, who’s lived with cognitive decline far beyond known science, or he’s simply always talked a bit too fast and incoherently.

My Dad is still relatively early on his journey. Recently I watched him try to read his 85th birthday card upside down with genuine intent — and take a while to realise that the card signed “With love, Pat” (with “Husband” on the front) was from his wife of 50+ years.

The reality is that my Dad is incredibly lucky. He’s surrounded by a loving wife, family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Many people living with Alzheimer’s — and the 1 in 3 of us who may face dementia in our lifetime — are not so fortunate. Alzheimer’s Society provides vital support, information and counselling for families navigating this devastating disease.

For our generation, we need a Hail Mary — some AI alchemy - to create a miraculous cure or some salvation in our lifetime. And for some of you, it might be hard to know whether any future cognitive decline is due to nature… or nurture — those late nights in Shellys, the Hacienda, Warehouse Project and beyond.

But for our children and grandchildren, imagine being able to tell this insidious disease that it’s not taking anything from them.

That’s why I’m asking for your support.