I'm fundraising for Alzheimer's Research UK, who are working towards a world where people are free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia. This is for you, Mum x

My Mum, Wendy, was diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia at 59 years old. More than ten years on, we've seen Mum go through various stages of Alzheimer's, including moving into a nursing home at 69 years old because she needed full-time, professional care. I can't change the impact that the disease has had on Mum's life (or us as a family), but I can support Alzheimer's Research UK in her honour - taking on fundraising challenges and trying to raise awareness for the charity by sharing Mum's story however I can.

My journey with ARUK started in 2022 - from there, I've continued fundraising through running challenges and working as a Media and Communications volunteer for the charity. I leave this fundraising page open, inviting donations beyond just one event or challenge, because whilst the search for a cure continues, so do my efforts to support ARUK!

Highlights include:

- creating the Capital Ring Challenge - running 3 marathons in 3 days, totaling 132km around London

- being interviewed on Sky News

- running the London Marathon 2024

- being invited to speak at 10 Downing Street during a reception for the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission

- being given a place at a 100km race called Race to the King

- giving talks to researchers helping to connect them with the purpose behind their day-to-day work

- selling clothes and running raffles

- helping to pitch for ARUK to take part in an Omaze House Draw, which raised an incredible £3.9million for the charity

Thank you for your donations - I am constantly blown away by the generosity of the people I know (and strangers who are touched by Mum's story and choose to donate too).

I am grateful for each and every donation - they inspire me to keep working to raise much needed funds and awareness.

Capital Ring Challenge 2022 - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/melissaquazi_mels-capital-ring-challenge-in-aid-of-alzheimers-activity-6917039779440128000-fi6j?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAdcnGkBCFNAYTOBeaa_AgZCLkz5ZjdFbXA

London Marathon 2024 - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/melissaquazi_foracure-activity-7188292672040669185-ffJH?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAdcnGkBCFNAYTOBeaa_AgZCLkz5ZjdFbXA

10 Downing Street - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/melissaquazi_dementia-mission-event-at-10-downing-street-activity-7176959050465562624-_srP?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAdcnGkBCFNAYTOBeaa_AgZCLkz5ZjdFbXA

Race to the King 2024 - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/melissaquazi_when-i-took-on-race-to-the-king-i-was-looking-activity-7213948526999842818-WLKN?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAdcnGkBCFNAYTOBeaa_AgZCLkz5ZjdFbXA

Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity, dedicated to causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure. Backed by passionate scientists and supporters, they are challenging the way people think about dementia, uniting the big thinkers in the field and funding the innovative science that will deliver a cure #ForACure