I’m running for Dad in the Bupa Great North Run for Alzheimer’s Society

Martin, aged 33 and from Darlington, said:

'My Dad used to care for others, but now he needs 24 hour care himself, although he's only 61.  He has always been very smart and used to wear a jacket and tie every day.  When he couldn't knot his tie, we knew something was wrong.'

Martin's father Kevin was only 53 years old when he was diagnosed with a form of fronto-temporal dementia which affects the areas of the brain responsible for our behaviour, emotional responses and language.  Martin and his family had realised Kevin wasn't well by his erratic driving and poor memory, although on a trip to his home town, Derby, Kevin knew his way around and recognised everything from when he was a child, although he hadn't lived there for over thirty years.  Martin said:

'It was really difficult to get a diagnosis because Dad was so young and even doctors don't immediately associate dementia with people in their fifties.  It doesn't seem so long ago we used to go and watch Middlesborough play together, but he needs around the clock care now.'

Martin still plays football and last year took part in the Bupa Great North Run for the first time.  He says:

'I felt such a sense of achievement I decided to do it again this year, but use it to raise some money for Alzheimer's Society.  We had a lot of support from them looking after my dad.  Even just £20 can support a researcher for a day with the equipment and chemicals needed to develop better treatments to fight this cruel disease so every penny counts.'

Martin will be among almost 4,000 runners running for the half-marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.  This is the second year Alzheimer's Society is Bupa's nominated charity for the Bupa Great Run Series.  Last year, thanks to Bupa, they raised over £1 million and the charity aims to top that this year.

Dr Graham Stokes, Bupa's director of dementia care, explains why Alzheimer's Society was a natural choice to be the nominated charity:

'Alzheimer's Society and Bupa are working together across a range of projects to support people with dementia and their carers and to find a cure for the future, whilst improving their quality of life and care. Both organisations share a commitment to fighting dementia and a belief in the health benefits of exercise. Signing up to support Alzheimer's Society in a Bupa Great Run means you can get fit, helping reduce your risk of dementia whilst raising money for a very worthwhile cause.'

You can contribute to Martin's fundraising efforts by going to http://original.justgiving.com/martincundy