Hi. It's Sam. By donating here, you'll be supporting the great work Dementia UK does. And heaping pressure on me to push through the inevitable pain of attempting to complete a 100km along the south coast:

https://www.ultrachallenge.com/south-coast-challenge/

Why Dementia UK?

Dementia is a blanket term for a range of mental impairments (including, but not limited to Alzheimer's) that is most often diagnosed in later years. It affects around 1 in 11 people over 65 in the UK, causing suffering not just for those afflicted by it, but their friends and loved ones.

My father was one of those, cutting short a healthy, active, and caring person's life. He was one of those unfortunate ones to undergo early (or young) onset dementia, something difficult to diagnose, especially given a slow decline. It's difficult to question the mental state of somebody you love. It's difficult to handle later, when your own parent doesn't recognise you. It's difficult to see fundamental aspects of one's personality change.

He's not the only one I've known in such a situation, and I've heard many stories from people I've met over the years that echo my own.

I don't know if one day we might cure dementia, or find effective strategies to reduce its prevalence. What I do know is that today families with members suffering from dementia need support. Dementia UK provide this via expert advice and compassionate emotional support.

I come from New Zealand, but like here in the UK, and I believe organisations such as Dementia UK are providing an important lifeline for so many families and need all the help they can get.

What's up with 100km?

The furthest I've ever walked or hiked is just over 40km, not quite touching the length of a marathon. And, to use my best kiwi expression, I felt pretty buggered after it.

Given that, it wouldn't be very attention grabbing to just do 50km would it?

I want your attention, and I want to make Dementia UK a modest amount of money and at the very least shower some attention on the work they do.

The more donations, the more motivation to push through and not give up. The more pain I'll feel like I must put myself through.

So the only thing for it is to aim for a distance 2.5x I've ever propelled myself by foot, climb significantly further than I've ever done, and generally put myself through the ringer. Rather than take in the lovely scenery, given my expected pace I'll have to walk through the night and not see a thing. With our unsettled summer weather this year, I also think there is a good chance of substantial rain on the journey.

Your donation goes further than you might think (2x further!)

Even before considering gift aid... The company I work for, Avos Technology, will match all donations made up to the fundraising target.

What a great deal! Get donating!