I’m taking on the Great North Run in the second of two big events in 2025 raising money for Alzheimer's Research UK.

Having already done the C2C bike ride in May, all attentions have turned to running as my preparations continue for the world’s biggest half marathon.

I chose ARUK as Alzheimer’s not only affected my gran Audrey, but my dad, Peter Mason, too.

Sadly, we lost Dad on July 31, which came as a terrible shock. But the small mercy we can take from this is that the dementia wasn’t given the chance to take control of my dad. That said, it doesn’t make things any easier to take.

It means GNR, for me, will take on a different meaning. I run on Sunday in memory of Dad, who was brought up in South Shields and loved coming back at any opportunity. I’ll run past the streets where I was raised, the streets where he was raised, the hospital where I was born, the leisure centre where I learned to swim, two of my old schools. I’ve ran it three times in the past and it always feels like I’m running home. Hey that sounds like a song….

It will be emotional but I’m determined to do it, for dad but also for those families for whom a cure for dementia would be so transformative.

If you’re able to chuck me a quid or two, I’d really appreciate it.

Thank you!

From Alzheimer’s Research

Every three minutes dementia steals a happily ever after. Research is our only chance of changing the ending for people affected by dementia.

We are the UK's leading dementia research charity. We exist for a cure.

Your donation helps our scientists and researchers find new ways to diagnose dementia, develop new treatments and find a cure for dementia.

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