In April 2027, Emily and I will be taking on the London Landmarks Half Marathon as part of Team ARUK, raising vital funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK in loving memory of my wonderful dad, John, and Emily’s much-loved Grandad. ❤️

Our family’s journey with dementia began when Dad went into hospital for what should have been a simple, unrelated operation. Before this, he was living independently and managing well on his own. However, following the anaesthetic, he woke up a completely different person and sadly never left the hospital.

Within just six months, dementia had taken Dad from living independently to being bedridden and unable to recognise his own family. Watching someone we love change so rapidly, while feeling completely helpless to stop what was happening, was devastating. Just six months after his dementia diagnosis, we lost him.

This is why taking on this challenge together means so much to us. We want to honour Dad and Grandad’s memory, raise awareness of the devastating impact dementia can have on individuals and families, and help fund vital research into its causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

Our hope is that, through continued research, fewer families will have to experience what ours did.

Every training run and every mile we take on together will be for Dad and Grandad. We’ll be carrying him with us every step of the way. ❤️

Our fundraising target is £800, and every donation, no matter how big or small, will help support Alzheimer’s Research UK in working towards a world where people are free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.

Thank you so much for supporting us, sharing our journey and donating whatever you can. It genuinely means more to our family than we can put into words.

For Dad. For Grandad. For everyone affected by dementia. Every mile, together. ❤️