Local man tackles Iceland's volcanic terrain in aid of Alzheimer's Society

Barny will be one of more than forty intrepid trekkers who will experience the beauty of Iceland as part of a nine-day adventure in July 2006.

Barny said:

'I decided to do the Iceland trek for the Alzheimer's Society because Alzheimer's is such a cruel disease. To be honest, it frightens the life out of me. I have had several elderly relatives who had the symptoms, although they died before the disease became full- blown. One out of five people over the age of eighty will develop dementia and with us all living longer that will mean, if no cure is found, a huge number of people will go on to develop the disease. We all have to do our bit to stop this happening.

It will be a very challenging trek. We cover 80 kilometres over some very hard terrain but I know it will be worth it. The money I raise will help the Alzheimer's Society to continue to support to people with dementia and their carers and to keep on searching for a cure.'

Barny has set himself an equally challenging fundraising target. He hopes to raise £80,000, one pound for every kilometre. Anyone wishing to help Barny reach his goal can donate by logging on to www.justgiving.com/barnytrek.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said:

'Barny has set himself an amazing fundraising challenge and we wish him every success. As a charity we rely on the support of people like Barny whose fundraising efforts ensure that we can keep on searching for a cure whilst providing support and advice to people with dementia and their carers. We'd like to thank Barny for taking on our Iceland challenge. We're sure he will have the trip of a lifetime.'

Barny will join a group of all ages and from all backgrounds on the Alzheimer's Society Iceland trek. The trip starts in the capital, Reykjavik, where the trekkers will take their first breaths of pure Icelandic air. The trek starts for real with a three-hour walk around Iceland's most famous volcano, Mt Hekla. Barny will then journey through the magnificent lakes and lava fields of Dómadalshraun and the multicoloured mountains of Landmannalaugar. He will see spectacular views, wade through icy streams, camp by glacial lakes and bathe in hot springs before returning to Reykjavik and a free day experiencing Icelandic city life.

There are still places available on the Alzheimer's Society Iceland Trek (8-16 July 2006). For further information please contact 0870 417 0192.

For further information, contact the Alzheimer's Society press office.

Notes for editors

• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.
• Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80.
• There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
• Our website address is http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.