Welcome to my Just Giving fundraising page!

I am delighted to say that I will be running the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for STAND (Striving Towards A New Day) in order to raise as much money for them as possible.

STAND are a brilliant organisation who promote the well-being of people living with dementia in Fife. Offering regular meeting led by people living with a diagnosis of dementia and their families and friends, supported by workers and volunteers.

STAND do so much to support all affected by dementia and are making such a difference all throughout Fife. Please take some time to read a little bit about STAND's story so far (below). Thank you!

STAND's Approach

An issue for people who are living with a diagnosis of dementia is the stigma that continues to surround the condition. People live in fear of getting a diagnosis and when they do receive one, they feel their worlds have come to an end and life as they know it has to stop.

After receiving a diagnosis of dementia, people can become isolated and despondent as the world becomes closed to them. People of working age are expected to “retire” and loss can become a dominant feature. A risk averse culture can surround the individual with an emphasis on what they can no longer do, rather than what they can continue to achieve.

STAND encourages people to explore a diagnosis at an early stage and to seek peer support as a means of finding out how to live well with dementia.

STAND believes people living with dementia can live a good life and have a positive and fulfilling life. Accepting the diagnosis so that support can be put in place at an early stage and having support from peers are key to STAND's approach.

History of STAND

STAND first met as a group in September 2019. The group was formed as a peer support group for people who were living with a diagnosis of younger onset dementia – that is people who are diagnosed with dementia under the age of 65 – and their families and friends.

The driving force for the group was a man called Gerald King. Gerry was diagnosed with younger onset dementia at the age of 55. He was very keen to meet with people of his own age and at the same stage of the dementia journey. He approached his specialist nurse who set up a group with Fife Council's Dementia Friendly Fife Project Manager. The principles of the group attempted to mirror the UK Meeting Centre movement.

Gerry had been to activity groups but they were aimed at people who were much older than him and at a much later stage of dementia. He described a feeling of being “infantilised” by the activities. He wanted group experiences that were more challenging and could maximise his creative side.

During Covid lockdown the group met on ZOOM but this medium did not work for 60% of the group and as soon as it was practically possible, the group returned to face-to-face meetings. STAND was formally constituted as a SCIO in March 2022 and at that point STAND changed its remit to include anyone of any age affected by dementia.

Thank you for taking the time to read about STAND! Any and all donations are very much appreciated!