I am a 67-year-old retired University of London professor, based in Surrey (Guildford). I have always had a passion for adventure and long-distance walks.

In 2022, I completed a 1,125-mile hike across Britain from Land's End to John O'Groats, and in 2023, I undertook a 480-mile trek across Sri Lanka to raise funds for the welfare of street dogs. During autumn 2024 (29th August – 6th October) I completed a new challenge: to walk the entire length of Ireland to support two dementia charities - the Alzheimer’s Society and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

My end-to-end walk of Ireland spanned 507 miles, encompassed 40,000 ft of ascent and took 39 days (including five rest days). I averaged 14.9 miles and 1170 ft of ascent each walking day. My route followed waymarked trails, paths and quiet country roads, and went from the tip of Dursey Island in the rugged southwest of Ireland to the coastal town of Ballycastle in Northern Ireland. Although strenuous, the adventure was a marvellous and rewarding experience!

I am supporting dementia because it is Britain’s leading cause of death, having overtaken coronary heart disease, and because both my father and grandfather battled this disease. Dementia is a chronic brain disorder that is not part of normal ageing and currently affects 1 in 3 people in the UK and Ireland during their lifetime. Unfortunately, there is still no cure for dementia and many people who have this disease are not being diagnosed and supported.

The Alzheimer’s Society and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland provide essential support to those living with dementia and work towards groundbreaking treatments. They also strive to make dementia the national priority that it desperately needs to be. Donations are vital for these Societies to continue their essential work.

Your generous contributions will directly benefit these charities and help to ensure that no one faces dementia alone. Thank you for your kindness and for any donation that you may offer. I am grateful and appreciative.