My name is Bernard Bunting. I am a 67-year-old husband, father, former soldier and founder of a family business, and I live with Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, diagnosed in 2022.

I have always been a keen cyclist and undertaken many cycling challenges, and now I am getting ready for this, my biggest and most important challenge yet…

My aim is to raise £1 million in aid of The National Brain Appeal, to support the very first specialist centre for Rare Dementia Support centre by cycling around the coast of Britain. I will be covering all my own accommodation and food expenses along the journey, so every penny raised will go directly to the running costs of the Rare Dementia Support Centre, including staffing, developing services and funding activities offered there.

On 18 May 2025, I will embark on 4,200-mile solo bike ride round the coast of Britain in aid of The National Brain Appeal charity to support the services provided by the world’s first Rare Dementia Support Centre, which will open in early 2026 in Woburn Square, London. 

Over about seven weeks, I intend to cycle c. 4,200 miles. I will post regular updates as I make my way round the country starting from Putney Bridge, London, via the white cliffs of Dover, Land’s End, John O’ Groats and back down the East Coast through Edinburgh, round Norfolk to Essex and returning along the north bank of the Thames back to Putney Bridge.

For more information on my challenge; the Rare Dementia Centre and my blog, please visit roundbritainbybike.co.uk

My goal to raise £1 million is an ambitious fundraising target and to achieve this I need to involve as many people as possible in attempting to raise this significant sum. I am hoping to find 100,000 supporters who will donate £10 and then spread the word about my challenge. If you can donate more than £10, fantastic!

I am grateful and inspired by the support given to me and my family by the incredible, dedicated experts, but there is scope for the Rare Dementia Support centre to deliver so much more and significant funds need to be raised to deliver them, and this is where I want to do what I can to help.

Every donation and share of my JustGiving page will take me a step closer to my £1 million goal and support this important centre. Thank you.

To find our more please visit: nationalbrainappeal.org/rare-dementia-support and www.raredementiasupport.org/news/rds-centre/