I’m really proud to have been invited to run the London Marathon 2027 in support of Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Services (ADSS), a local Kent charity that I have worked closely with for the last year, who provide vital support to people living with dementia and those who care for them.

Dementia affects many families – one in two people in the UK will be impacted in their lifetime. Behind those numbers are real people, navigating daily challenges and often feeling isolated and overwhelmed. ADSS is there for them, every step of the way.

Your donation will make a real difference and help in their mission.

My family has experienced first-hand the devastating impact of dementia. My dad was diagnosed in the late 2000s and, after a long and difficult journey, passed away in a care home in January 2019. Dementia gradually took so much from him. He became increasingly confused and eventually struggled to recognise those closest to him, including his seven grandchildren, whom he adored. Watching someone you love lose those precious connections is heartbreaking, and the effect on our family was immense. The person most deeply affected was my incredible mum. She cared for and supported Dad tirelessly for many years, until the point where his needs became too great for her to manage alone and he moved into a care home. Even then, her dedication never wavered. Despite the home being around 20 miles away, Mum visited every day, continuing to care for Dad and ensuring he always felt loved and supported. During those years, Mum formed close bonds with many of the care staff. Their kindness came full circle when Mum herself was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour last year. In her final weeks, some of those same carers stepped forward to help care for her, providing compassion, comfort and dignity at a time when our family needed it most. Our experience has shown us not only the devastating effects of dementia, but also the extraordinary value of care, support and compassion. That is why this cause means so much to me and my family.

I made a very conscious decision to make some significant lifestyle changes just after dad’s death. I am pleased that I have embedded those changes into my daily life and built on them to the extent that I am now fitter, happier and in a far healthier place that I have been at any point for the last 40 years. Cycling has been a large part of that, but also Parkrun, which I stumbled into two and a half years ago. One morning in January 2024, a work colleague, Steve C, announced that he’d completed his first Parkrun over the weekend. I spent the rest of that day thinking “If Steve can do it, why can’t I?”, I mentioned it to Claire later and at 9am the following Saturday the two of us, and Floss the dog, attended our first ever Parkrun briefing session. We all went back the following week, Floss dug her heels in and refused to budge, but Claire and I have been pretty much ever present since and have both run over 100 Parkruns. Steve C has completed two! Any fellow Parkrunners wishing to follow me can use my URN A9201166

I’ll be recording my marathon adventure on Instagram @liamsmarathonjourney please follow me and become an active supporter of this daunting challenge – it definitely won’t be all about training, probably more about food and the joy I get from cooking and eating! There will be photos of the bread products I love baking and how you could support my fundraising further by occasionally buying a loaf of my homemade sourdough or focaccia/fougasse/pizza style bread.

Thanks for reading, please feel free to share this page widely.

Liam 💖