Last August our family lost a loving Dad, Husband, Grandad & Father-in-Law. In 2022 Dad received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Dementia, a diagnosis that was delayed by several hospital admissions which saw his symptoms quickly progress. By the time he was diagnosed the treatments available to slow cognitive decline & control symptoms were no longer an option.

He was admitted into a care home when he became unsafe at home, & then eventually a nursing home, where, the majority of the time once he settled, he was still his happy self, making sarcastic comments & jokes, enjoying cakes & tea/coffee. He was popular with the staff & in some ways the Alzheimer's brought his love for his family to the surface even more.

However, like many with Alzheimer’s, Dad had a really difficult time. The suddenness of his diagnosis & the progression were almost unfathomable. The TV adverts don’t really show what it’s like & what the individual or family go through. It is truly devastating. That is why I am doing this 100km continuous walk. I wanted a challenge so that when things feel hard it is a reminder of why we are doing it, because people with Alzheimer’s go through struggles everyday & often still give a smile. Tom will be by my side, as he always has been, supporting us all through the hardest times. If you can please help us both in raising vital money for The Alzheimer’s Society.

The Alzheimer’s Society strive to speed diagnosis, fight for better & more widely available social care, to fund & support research, as well as providing support for families so your support could help so many people in the future.