Hello!! I am running the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 6 April 2025, to raise funds for The National Brain Appeal.

The National Brain Appeal is a charity that raises money to support people living with neurological and neuromuscular conditions and, for 30 years, has funded Rare Dementia Support (RDS).

In 2020, at the age of 51, my mum was diagnosed with a very rare form of dementia and very quickly, our family dynamic changed completely. Anyone who knows my mum knows the type of person she used to be; a driven and fearless leader, a gregarious organiser, a passionate, hard worker. Sadly, since her diagnosis, and particularly as she has deteriorated significantly in the past 12 months or so, she can no longer be that person.

She is still happy and deeply loving, but she now requires constant support and supervision to live life (my dad, brother and aunts are her exceptional carers as I live away from home). While we are closer than ever as a family, there is of course lots of stress, uncertainty and anxiety that comes with mum’s diagnosis.

Thanks to the National Brain Appeal, the RDS works with people affected by rare dementia and their carers, providing support, advice, and community. They also pioneer research into all types of rare dementia.

As someone who has never ran more than 5km (and even that was several years ago…), a half marathon will be a tough challenge. But I’ll be doing it for mum, and everyone dealing with the life-changing impact of dementia.

If you can afford it, please donate today to support the work of The National Brain Appeal and the Rare Dementia Society.