Dementia Support Line
This walk will be for my Mammar. She was our dancing...
I am trekking for both of my beautiful parents. Dad...
I work for an Armed Forces charity and we have a few...
My Grandma’s Long Goodbye
My grandma’s long...
Recently my mum received the diagnosis of vascular...
2 grandparents I have had with it worst thing in the world lost my grand to rapid onset dementia and my nan has had for 10 years plus she is in a nursing home as an...
My lovely Mum was diagnosed with early onset...
In May 2026, I completed a 14,000-foot skydive to...
As an overweight 62 year old with sciatica, arthritis and asthma who is struggling to walk more than 1km, swimming has become my only form of exercise. I have only...
My Great, Great Nanna John had Alzheimer’s.
Nanna would ask my name each time I visited.
I was 5-8 years old. Nanna was around 102 when she passed.
My name was...
My mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease last...
For over the last 20 years friends gathered at my home on Ascot Ladies Day, to have fun dressing up with obligatory hats, having a flutter on the horse racing and...
This walk will be for my Mammar. She was our dancing queen and family was her love and joy she lived in her own home independently until 1 year ago when her family had no choice but to look for a care home she had 6 children and 15 grandchildren and many great great grandchildren. She died sadly suddenly in June we are all still in shock that she’s gone she had been diagnosed with alzheimer’s a few years ago and up until - year ago remained in her home where we all supported her but watched her disappear bit by bit
Mammar we all love you and will never forget the memories the love and just your good sense of humour.
Mammar we all love you and will never forget the memories the love and just your good sense of humour.
Nathan
I am trekking for both of my beautiful parents. Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a number of years ago. He fought hard before very sadly dementia took him 2 years ago. Tragically mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a year before dad passed away. Mum is still with us but is now reliving herself what she saw her husband go through. My sister and I have been determined to support our parents and have found the courage and support to do this from our parents. We will not let Alzheimer's define them and who they were are are.
Denise Pope
I work for an Armed Forces charity and we have a few beneficiaries that have been diagnosed with Alzheimers. I have seen how this affects their loved ones and the huge impact it has on all their lives. I don't think a single person can say they don't know a family impacted by this awful illness. When I run the Brighton marathon I will be doing it in the name of my fellow veterans who have received this diagnosis.
Amanda
My Grandma’s Long Goodbye
My grandma’s long goodbye is a story about love, loss, and learning to navigate grief while watching someone I loved slowly change because of dementia.
Before dementia affected her, my grandma was one of the most colourful and lively people I knew. I remember her brightly patterned skirts, carefully matched knitted cardigans, pink-painted nails, and the laughter that could light up a room. She loved surprising my brother and me, looking after her dog Winnie, and making every visit special.
Some of my favourite memories are the small ones. I would sing, act, and dance in front of her cuckoo clock while she watched proudly. She would always tell us she had a surprise waiting — usually chocolate buttons from her crowded pantry.
As I grew older, I began noticing changes. At first, I thought she was simply getting older, but looking back, I recognise these as some of the first signs of dementia. She started struggling with her memory and everyday tasks, and in 2018 she was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Watching dementia change someone you love is incredibly difficult. As a teenager, I experienced grief in a way I had never expected — losing someone twice, first to the illness and then when they passed away.
After losing my grandma, I joined Dementia Friends because I wanted to support others affected by dementia. I hope young people facing similar experiences know they are not alone.
Dementia changed parts of our journey, but it never erased the love and memories we shared.
My grandma’s long goodbye is a story about love, loss, and learning to navigate grief while watching someone I loved slowly change because of dementia.
Before dementia affected her, my grandma was one of the most colourful and lively people I knew. I remember her brightly patterned skirts, carefully matched knitted cardigans, pink-painted nails, and the laughter that could light up a room. She loved surprising my brother and me, looking after her dog Winnie, and making every visit special.
Some of my favourite memories are the small ones. I would sing, act, and dance in front of her cuckoo clock while she watched proudly. She would always tell us she had a surprise waiting — usually chocolate buttons from her crowded pantry.
As I grew older, I began noticing changes. At first, I thought she was simply getting older, but looking back, I recognise these as some of the first signs of dementia. She started struggling with her memory and everyday tasks, and in 2018 she was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Watching dementia change someone you love is incredibly difficult. As a teenager, I experienced grief in a way I had never expected — losing someone twice, first to the illness and then when they passed away.
After losing my grandma, I joined Dementia Friends because I wanted to support others affected by dementia. I hope young people facing similar experiences know they are not alone.
Dementia changed parts of our journey, but it never erased the love and memories we shared.
Emily-Mai
Recently my mum received the diagnosis of vascular dementia. Whilst its good to finally have a diagnosis its sad that this is happening to her. I turned 60 in 2025 and I have been pushing my comfort zone by sea walking, scuba diving, flying a 4 seater plane and now sky diving! For someone who has a fear of deep water and heights I am really pushing my limits but having an exciting time whilst doing it! My beautiful mum means the world to me so raising funds to help find a cure or stabilising medications, even though they won't help my mum, is the least I can do.
Hazel
2 grandparents I have had with it worst thing in the world lost my grand to rapid onset dementia and my nan has had for 10 years plus she is in a nursing home as an empty shell of herself
Alex
My lovely Mum was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease aged 54 when I was 17 and my younger sister 14. I have vowed to take on fundraising each year for this wonderful charity in memory of my lovely Mum and the last few years this has taken form in Trek 26! The last 2 years we have taken on 13 miles around North York Moors and the Lakes, this year we’re going the biggie 26 miles in the Cotswolds! These events are so well organised and a brilliant way to get involved in fundraising and challenging yourself with other people wanting to help the same cause.
Jenny
In May 2026, I completed a 14,000-foot skydive to represent the fear, uncertainty and loss of control that so many families experience following a dementia diagnosis.
I dedicated the jump to six incredible ladies who touched my life - Bren, Clarice, Mary, Monica, Gladys, and Linda, and carried their names, alongside Jenny, Celia, and Trevor, on my custom jersey. As I plunged through the sky, I made a heart shape with my hands as a tribute to their memories and everyone affected by this disease.
My original fundraising goal was £500, but thanks to incredible support from friends, family and the community, I raised £1,870 for Alzheimer’s Society.
If facing my greatest fear can help make a difference, I hope others will be inspired to step up for a cause they believe in. The families affected by Alzheimer’s need our support now more than ever.
I dedicated the jump to six incredible ladies who touched my life - Bren, Clarice, Mary, Monica, Gladys, and Linda, and carried their names, alongside Jenny, Celia, and Trevor, on my custom jersey. As I plunged through the sky, I made a heart shape with my hands as a tribute to their memories and everyone affected by this disease.
My original fundraising goal was £500, but thanks to incredible support from friends, family and the community, I raised £1,870 for Alzheimer’s Society.
If facing my greatest fear can help make a difference, I hope others will be inspired to step up for a cause they believe in. The families affected by Alzheimer’s need our support now more than ever.
Stacey
As an overweight 62 year old with sciatica, arthritis and asthma who is struggling to walk more than 1km, swimming has become my only form of exercise. I have only been able to do 1km max but have been practicing and now have just managed the mile. !! My husband has recently been diagnosed with MCI and we are monitoring for signs of this turning to dementia. It is a difficult time but I wanted to do something to help fund research. I saw this challenge online and decided to have a go. I care for my 2 elderly parents (93 and 98) and it is almost a full time job but now with my husbands diagnosis I needed something to focus on. This seemed the right thing at the right time. It is not an easy challenge, but that is why I am doing it! 10 miles over 10 separate dates in 4 weeks - I am praying I can complete this. God has my back so I am sure I will.
Jacqueline
My Great, Great Nanna John had Alzheimer’s.
Nanna would ask my name each time I visited.
I was 5-8 years old. Nanna was around 102 when she passed.
My name was the same as hers.
She’d get so excited. “Hannah, that’s my name too!”.
Me not knowing any different; would say “I know nanna, you tell me all the time”🥹🤣.
Nanna Johns daughter later had it.
Nanna Casey (my great nan).
My Nannie, (her daughter) took her in and looked after her for a while.
I remember visiting, with my stepson (aged 6). Him being very “busy”, shall we say.
He ran up stairs to nose around and use the loo.
Nanna stood at the bottom of the stairs, shouting; “what are you up to”.
Nanna called my nannie and me... Asking us to check on him.
We later visited Nanna Casey at her care home.
Reintroducing ourselves, of course.
Before visiting, I explained to my stepson that Nanna may repeat herself and get confused.
Which she did. Nanna referred to me as “mammy”.
My stepson had recently lost his mother. So we quickly reminded her our relation.
Nanna then pointed next to my stepson. Saying, “Oh, I didn’t see to sat there! Hello”.
Quickly thinking… (which I don’t do much).
I said; “
Did you know!..
Apparently, old people, animals and babies can see ghosts. I bet it’s mammy!… sat next to you and she’s laughing because Nanna just called me Mammy!!!”.
Thankfully, he laughed and then cuddled me.
A few days later; my brother called me (I was training for my new care roll).
He said I better get there fast to “say goodbye”.
After doing so, she passed (late 90s).
In my opinion…
Alzheimer’s sucks!….
Those suffering lose their dignity, and so much more.
Putting pressure on family, friends, cares. Unknowingly and most probably unwantingly (yes i’ve made up a word).
This is one of the reasons I have such strong views on euthanasia.
Nanna would ask my name each time I visited.
I was 5-8 years old. Nanna was around 102 when she passed.
My name was the same as hers.
She’d get so excited. “Hannah, that’s my name too!”.
Me not knowing any different; would say “I know nanna, you tell me all the time”🥹🤣.
Nanna Johns daughter later had it.
Nanna Casey (my great nan).
My Nannie, (her daughter) took her in and looked after her for a while.
I remember visiting, with my stepson (aged 6). Him being very “busy”, shall we say.
He ran up stairs to nose around and use the loo.
Nanna stood at the bottom of the stairs, shouting; “what are you up to”.
Nanna called my nannie and me... Asking us to check on him.
We later visited Nanna Casey at her care home.
Reintroducing ourselves, of course.
Before visiting, I explained to my stepson that Nanna may repeat herself and get confused.
Which she did. Nanna referred to me as “mammy”.
My stepson had recently lost his mother. So we quickly reminded her our relation.
Nanna then pointed next to my stepson. Saying, “Oh, I didn’t see to sat there! Hello”.
Quickly thinking… (which I don’t do much).
I said; “
Did you know!..
Apparently, old people, animals and babies can see ghosts. I bet it’s mammy!… sat next to you and she’s laughing because Nanna just called me Mammy!!!”.
Thankfully, he laughed and then cuddled me.
A few days later; my brother called me (I was training for my new care roll).
He said I better get there fast to “say goodbye”.
After doing so, she passed (late 90s).
In my opinion…
Alzheimer’s sucks!….
Those suffering lose their dignity, and so much more.
Putting pressure on family, friends, cares. Unknowingly and most probably unwantingly (yes i’ve made up a word).
This is one of the reasons I have such strong views on euthanasia.
Hannah Sparling
My mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease last year. It's been a struggle for the family, mainly my dad who mum's full time carer. Sometimes I want to cry when I shower mum as I miss my mum a lot.
Julie
For over the last 20 years friends gathered at my home on Ascot Ladies Day, to have fun dressing up with obligatory hats, having a flutter on the horse racing and raising funds for Claire House a local children’s charity. Unfortunately our dear friend Margaret Quilliam recently died of Alzheimer’s and we decided this year to donate the days proceedings to your charity. The number of friends attending has diminished as times gone by, but we’ve managed to donate £320 towards your worthy charity.
Kathleen Shannon
Share your story
However you’ve been affected by dementia, this is a place for you to share your story with other people who get it.