My dad, Roy, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in late 2017. More than six years later, the disease is relentlessly taking its toll. Dad now needs help with most everyday tasks. Everything from washing to getting dressed; eating to switching on the TV requires assistance and supervision.

Dementia is an unforgiving disease which irreversibly changes the lives of those affected by the illness and their carers. Mum does an amazing job at looking after dad. But full-time caring is exhausting particularly for those in the later years of life.

Alzheimer's is now the leading cause of death in the UK and many other places around the world. There's currently no cure. A couple of medical breakthroughs this year give hope that the disease will eventually be treatable or even cured. But there's a long way to go. That's why I'm fundraising again for Alzheimer's research. Having seen the disease up close, we need to do everything we can to fight back and stop it destroying so many lives.

The dedicated team at Alzheimer's Research UK are working around the clock with partners around the world to help make life-changing breakthroughs possible – and one day, to find a cure.

As for my challenge, I'm planning to walk, unsupported, along the eastern Border of France - from the outskirts of Strasbourg to the Mediterranean across the Vosges and Jura mountains and then the mighty Alps. It's a journey of 1200km and will involve climbing more than 50,000m - that's the equivalent of scaling Everest from sea level more than 6 times.

I know it's going to be tough. But every penny raised for such an important cause will be worth the effort. I am hugely grateful for your support.

You can follow my progress on Instagram and Twitter:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickjdavies/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaddyJDavies

Many thanks, Patrick