I will be running the Great North Run, for the second year, in memory of my wonderful father Gordon. Born in Newcastle he loved the north, Northumberland, where he started out as a vet. He was an incredible father, a true gentleman, kind, funny, sincere and a brilliant vet, he was like a magnet to animals. He did not deserve to get Alzhiemer's, nobody does, but it cruelly stripped away his personality, bit by bit and watching 'the real him' disappear in front of us was the hardest thing I have ever endured. For someone who had given so much and dedicated his life to his vocation and his family, this was a cruel blow. A proud husband, father, and grandfather, a true family man who always 'did the right thing', he taught us to be kind and to always act with integrity.

I cannot wait to run the Great North again in his memory, I will proudly stand at the start line and I know he will be with me, every step.

This is a poem I wrote for him just before he died which describes this wonderful man, who I was lucky enough to call my father. Every step I take will be for him and all those affected. We must never stop fighting to beat this disease.

Our Daddy

You taught us the value of kindness and love,
You taught us good manners are the best gift of all,
You taught us to be brave and to face all our fears,
You were gentle and guiding, through all of our years.

You gave us encouragement, to just do our best,
You showed us the power of spirit and grit,
That age is just a number, and should not be a barrier,
A real inspiration, to live life to the full.

The definition of a gentlemen, so proud and sincere,
Your kindness and warmth in abundance for all,
With a glint in your eye, and that mischievous smile,
You could light up a room, and fill it with joy.

You sang from your heart, and meant every word,
Your Christmas Day reading, was a gift to be heard,
Your smile was infectious, your laugh lifted hearts,
We know you are with us, and live on in our hearts.

When we look to the stars, you’ll be the brightest of all,
You will always be with us, to guide and support,
You loved in abundance, you laughed with such joy,
A magnet for animals, a kind soul to the core,
Our real life James Herriot, to love and adore.

You were brave to the end with the biggest of hearts,
Resolute and determined, you never gave up,
Your spirit and courage, an inspiration to all,
Truly one-of-kind, they don’t make anymore.

Did you know that every 3 seconds, someone in the world develops Dementia? Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of Dementia and affects millions of individuals and families worldwide, yet its impact extends far beyond memory loss. It can slowly take away a person’s identity, independence, and connection to the people they love most.
Over the past few years, endurance sports have become a huge part of my life. After recently completing my first Ironman 70.3, I decided I wanted my next challenge to support something even bigger than myself. This year, I’ll be running my first marathon, the 2026 Sydney Marathon, in support of the Alzheimer’s Society, a cause that is deeply personal to me.
While I have always been interested in the science of physical and mental well-being, it was my Granddad’s experience with Alzheimer’s Disease that inspired me to pursue a career in medicine and become involved in neuroscience research. My Granddad was an avid cross-country skier who loathed downhill skiing with a passion. An icebreaker ship captain. A husband and a father. But that was not the man I knew. You see, Alzheimer’s Disease takes that away from you. It strips you of your memory, your identity.
Watching my Granddad and my family navigate Alzheimer’s was a huge part of what shaped my interests in medicine, neuroscience, and research. At the same time, running and endurance sports have taught me resilience, discipline, and consistency. By running the 2026 Sydney Marathon, I hope to honour my Granddad’s memory, raise awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease, and support research, programs, and families affected by Dementia.

Terri, my mother-in-law, had lived with Type 1 Diabetes since 1999. She was a kind, caring, and fiercely independent woman who always faced life with determination despite the challenges her condition brought.

In the summer of 2021, shortly after Covid-19 restrictions began to ease, Terri suffered a severe hypoglycaemic seizure while attending a doctor’s appointment. Thanks to the quick actions of the medical staff, she regained consciousness after several frightening minutes. However, in the months that followed, we began to notice changes in her memory, increasing confusion in everyday situations, and difficulties with tasks that had once been second nature to her.

After undergoing tests, Terri was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. Over the next three years, we witnessed the heartbreaking progression of the disease as her cognitive abilities gradually declined. Dementia not only changed Terri’s life, but also deeply affected everyone who loved and cared for her.

In November 2024, Terri suffered a fall and broke her hip. She underwent surgery to repair it, but complications that were not initially detected caused her bowel to rupture, leading to sepsis. Her health deteriorated rapidly in the weeks that followed and, tragically, Terri passed away in the early hours of Christmas Day 2024.

I am running the Great North Run for the Alzheimer’s Society in Terri’s memory, to help raise awareness, support families affected by dementia, and contribute towards vital research and care for those living with this devastating illness.

My beloved Grandma and Great Uncle battled dementia toward the end of their lives, it broke our hearts seeing their personality change so drastically every day. My husband's beautiful Nan fought Alzheimer's for years, her wonderful soul shone through and she fought every day. This support is for them. In their memory and to support the lives of others.

I am running on Sunday in memory of my Dad Edward Griffiths. My father suffered with mixed Alzheimer’s & Dementia and sadly passed away on 31st May 2024. My Dad knew how much I love running and over the years, during this time I have raised funds & awareness for many charities. I’ll be thinking of him every step of the way on Sunday 31st May and hopefully will hit my target for Alzheimer’s Society.

I am fundraising to show my appreciation to Grandad, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and watching him deteriorate has been one of the hardest experiences of my life. My Grandad had always been such a strong, proud, and loving figure, and seeing him struggle with things that once came naturally is heart breaking. I’m doing this fundraiser because I want to turn something painful into something positive. I refuse to just sit back and watch without doing something to help.

By raising money, I hope to support vital research so that one day families like mine won’t have to face this diagnosis, help fund services, care, and support for individuals and families going through the same journey, raise awareness of how life-changing this condition is and remind others that they are not alone, and give something back to the organisations that have offered guidance and support to my Grandad and our family.

My Grandad has always been the kind of person who puts others first, even when he is struggling, and this fundraiser is my way of showing him how much he means to me and honouring everything he has done for our family. Every donation—no matter how small—brings us closer to better care, better support, and hopefully one day, a cure. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for supporting my fundraiser; it truly means more than words can say.

He sadly passed away last year on Christmas Day last year .

Alzheimer’s doesn’t just steal memories — it slowly turns your whole world upside down. It changes family roles, breaks your heart in ways you never expect, and leaves you grieving someone who is still right in front of you. Watching someone you love fade piece by piece is devastating, and it’s a pain no family should have to face alone.



My Nana spent so many years of her life caring for others as a nurse, giving compassion, dignity, and kindness to people at their most vulnerable. Now she’s the one who needs care, and that reality is incredibly hard to accept. Supporting Alzheimer’s Society feels like a small way of giving something back — for her, and for every family navigating this cruel disease.



Training is already underway, and every mile I run is for her (whether my legs like it or not) — for the memories we hold onto, for the love that never fades, and for the hope that one day fewer families will have to live through this.

Every donation is appreciated, more than you would ever know.
Thank you, and Nana. I hope I make you proud 🤍

Me and my mum run the Manchester 10K every year in memory of my grandad. He was the absolute hero of our family. A hard working and dedicated family man that was heartbreakingly taken away from us by this terrible disease. If our small amount of fundraising can help another family through this, then it's worth every moment 💙

My lovely mum Nora, is living with Alzheimer’s. At the moment, mum is still living a wonderful life, at home with our dad and, as a family, we are all very grateful to still be making very precious memories, with them both.
In January (with barely 20 weeks to go), I decided to join the London to Brighton Ultra, on 23-24th May 2026, with a goal to raise as much money as possible and help Alzheimer’s Society continue to help sufferers and their families but to also continue to fund research for better treatments or a cure.
I am not going to lie, I am more than a little daunted by the task ahead of me: 100km of trails (60% off road and 1500 metres of climb), up and over the North Downs, via Surrey & Sussex, before tackling the South Downs to the finish on the coast, as a continuous challenge in a heatwave (unheard of in the UK over a bank holiday weekend!!)
Training in the wettest January for years was grim, for me and the poor dog and, even I have questioned my sanity on more than one occasion, since signing up.
It has been a much bigger challenge than I ever expected and the steepest learning curve. I have lost count of the number of ways I can trip myself up and I find the poles more of a hinderance than a help still, but I am persevering; by the time of the trek I will either be an expert or will take half the field out with me!
I am hoping to finish the whole challenge in less than 24 hours. An ULTRA MARCH is about WALKING at a consistent pace with other like minded challengers and a Pacemaker (no running/jogging allowed).
Am I Mad? Quite possibly (OK, TOTALLY Bonkers).
Am I Determined to do this? ABSOBLOOMINLUTEY!