Living with Dementia May 2008

Elaine Moody and Jo Cashell were among 290 runners who took part in the London Marathon on 13 April.

Elaine, (pictured here on the far right next to Jo Cashell), is the first person with dementia to run the Marathon on behalf of the Society.

She was accompanied throughout the race by Jo Cashell, who agreed to run with Elaine as she was feeling a little concerned about the starting point. The pair completed the Marathon in five-and-a-half hours.

Elaine, 55, who has Alzheimer's disease, started running just two years ago. She has taken part in a half marathon in Newark, but this was her first London Marathon. She said,

There were so many people shouting 'Go on you can do it!' The kids along the way wanted to do 'high-fives' so it was really good fun. I couldn't have done it without Jo.

Mick Moody, Elaine's husband, said,

I watched them both jogging down the Embankment with big smiles on their faces. When they finished I thought, Any minute now Elaine's going to cramp up but she still had a spring in her step. She was absolutely bubbling which was marvelous.

In all, 290 runners took part in the Marathon for the Society, and we are hoping to raise £260,000.