In 2023 I lost my Auntie to Alzheimer's Disease and...

My Partners Grandma got diagnosed with Alzheimers at...
I feel that running is a way of helping the cause to try and find a cure for this awful and cruel disease.
My mum was diagnosed with dementia in February 2020 just...

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2025 is my way of...
Edinburgh was meant to be my first and last half marathon to raise some much needed, and hugely deserved, funds for the amazing Alzheimer’s Society. The Charity...
I chose to run for Alzheimers as I have experienced it with my gran who had dementia and saw the effect on my dad when he was alive - he just could not cope with it...
My Auntie Mary is currently living with early on-set dementia and has been put in a home earlier this year as her care at home required more round the clock...
My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 56 years old in July 2023. I’m running for the Alzheimer’s Society to raise funds and awareness of the need for earlier...
Five years ago, a very kind lady who I knew for 30 years was diagnosed with dementia. This is the first time I had experienced someone with dementia. I saw her...
My Nan was diagnosed with Dementia in January 2023. Growing up my Nan was my best friend, she came to every show I ever done. Mum, Nan and I have always been so close....
My mom was diagnosed with dementia about 4 years ago. She’s only 60, so it’s been extra hard to accept such early fate. She lives back in Portugal with my dad, so...
In 2023 I lost my Auntie to Alzheimer's Disease and dementia, after years of slow and painful decline. I have been a prolific half marathon runner for charity since 2019, and in 2025 I am running a variety of races including six half marathons to raise funds for the important work done by Alzheimer's Society, which will take me to over 30 half marathons run in total!
Iain

My Partners Grandma got diagnosed with Alzheimers at 60 Years old, 10 years ago
I met her in 2021 and what a woman she is!
She’s got a heart of gold and will walk for miles all day every day!
Well are over an hour away from her but we still see her every single week as she definitely knows how to put a smile on our face!
She’s a very strong Irish woman and still has the thickest Irish accent and we love it! There is so many Irish traditions that we will carry on in her memory!
Grandma sadly lost her battle with Alzheimer’s on February 18th 2025 and we will lay her to rest on 4th of April.
This is for you grandma and I will hold your Irish flag high and I know your be there with me every step of the way! 💚🇮🇪💪🏼
I met her in 2021 and what a woman she is!
She’s got a heart of gold and will walk for miles all day every day!
Well are over an hour away from her but we still see her every single week as she definitely knows how to put a smile on our face!
She’s a very strong Irish woman and still has the thickest Irish accent and we love it! There is so many Irish traditions that we will carry on in her memory!
Grandma sadly lost her battle with Alzheimer’s on February 18th 2025 and we will lay her to rest on 4th of April.
This is for you grandma and I will hold your Irish flag high and I know your be there with me every step of the way! 💚🇮🇪💪🏼
Chloe
I feel that running is a way of helping the cause to try and find a cure for this awful and cruel disease.
My mum was diagnosed with dementia in February 2020 just after Covid struck and when our mum needed us the most in the early days of covid. We couldn’t be there for her which was so so difficult for my older brother and sister as well as for me.
Seeing our mum slowly drift away was so so hard for us as we always remember our mum as being so independent - she was driving right up until the end before her diagnosis. Her car was her lifeline and she missed being able to get about so badly. We would do shopping for her and have to leave it on the doorstep.
Sadly, she had a fall at home after which she ended up in hospital and moved to a care home. The second time she was admitted to hospital was after having a stroke.
We were with our mum holding her hand for 3 weeks constantly before she sadly passed away.
I feel by running is a way of helping the cause to try and find a cure for this awful and cruel disease.
My mum was diagnosed with dementia in February 2020 just after Covid struck and when our mum needed us the most in the early days of covid. We couldn’t be there for her which was so so difficult for my older brother and sister as well as for me.
Seeing our mum slowly drift away was so so hard for us as we always remember our mum as being so independent - she was driving right up until the end before her diagnosis. Her car was her lifeline and she missed being able to get about so badly. We would do shopping for her and have to leave it on the doorstep.
Sadly, she had a fall at home after which she ended up in hospital and moved to a care home. The second time she was admitted to hospital was after having a stroke.
We were with our mum holding her hand for 3 weeks constantly before she sadly passed away.
I feel by running is a way of helping the cause to try and find a cure for this awful and cruel disease.
Nigel

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2025 is my way of giving back to Alzheimer’s Society, who supported the family & my grandad until the very end.
My grandad was affected by dementia. The disease took my best friend from me & he struggled so much.
I became his advocate alongside my family and the knowledge from my line of work helped me to make sure he was safe and we were making the best decisions for him.
It was difficult to see his personality be stripped from him, his independence, decision making and ability to process information. In his late stages, I was unrecognizable, but he always made the effort to connect with me in his usual jokey manner.
LLHM 2025 is my way of giving back to Alzheimer’s Society, who supported the family & my grandad until the very end. It’s a way of finding myself again after losing the most important person.
Not only do Alzheimer’s Society support me personally, but they support many of the patients and relatives that I have worked with throughout the years. It’s a pleasure to see the work they do & the support that I am able to guide people towards, knowing that they have access to that in the community.
They provided my grandad, and his wife, the upmost amount of dignity and quality of life in order to make the process easier & help find coping strategies.
Alzheimer’s Society will forever hold a place in my heart.
My grandad was affected by dementia. The disease took my best friend from me & he struggled so much.
I became his advocate alongside my family and the knowledge from my line of work helped me to make sure he was safe and we were making the best decisions for him.
It was difficult to see his personality be stripped from him, his independence, decision making and ability to process information. In his late stages, I was unrecognizable, but he always made the effort to connect with me in his usual jokey manner.
LLHM 2025 is my way of giving back to Alzheimer’s Society, who supported the family & my grandad until the very end. It’s a way of finding myself again after losing the most important person.
Not only do Alzheimer’s Society support me personally, but they support many of the patients and relatives that I have worked with throughout the years. It’s a pleasure to see the work they do & the support that I am able to guide people towards, knowing that they have access to that in the community.
They provided my grandad, and his wife, the upmost amount of dignity and quality of life in order to make the process easier & help find coping strategies.
Alzheimer’s Society will forever hold a place in my heart.
Stacey
Edinburgh was meant to be my first and last half marathon to raise some much needed, and hugely deserved, funds for the amazing Alzheimer’s Society. The Charity provided exceptional support for me and my family when my lovely dad developed Early Onset Alzheimer’s at 58. It’s no coincidence I decided to take on the half marathon challenge (being a relatively recent Couch to 5K graduate) in my 58th year. As well as support and advice, they also fund ground breaking research to get better treatments and improved care to give everyone living directly or indirectly with Alzheimer’s hope and help.
Although I lost my dad 20 years ago, I now have several family and friends facing their own battles with Alzheimer’s and who knows what the future holds. So, lacing up my trainers again to take on another iconic half in the hope of raising more than last time is the least I can do. Thank you for letting me share my story.
Although I lost my dad 20 years ago, I now have several family and friends facing their own battles with Alzheimer’s and who knows what the future holds. So, lacing up my trainers again to take on another iconic half in the hope of raising more than last time is the least I can do. Thank you for letting me share my story.
Sam
I chose to run for Alzheimers as I have experienced it with my gran who had dementia and saw the effect on my dad when he was alive - he just could not cope with it watching his mum deteriorate. I also have a very good friend whose mum is living with dementia and it has been really hard on her - she already has a very busy life however has un conditional love for her mum Kath who is the "mother" of the family.
Kath is loved by everyone and lives in Hull and although I live in Guernsey when I visit I get to see her great big smile and she has always made me feel so welcome. It was really hard seeing her last time as she had early onset of dementia and she was being very forgetful and I recognised the signs. Her family and daughter who is a very good friend of mine has been amazing supporting her mum - so this is for Katrina and Kath Atkinson who I love very much.
Kath is loved by everyone and lives in Hull and although I live in Guernsey when I visit I get to see her great big smile and she has always made me feel so welcome. It was really hard seeing her last time as she had early onset of dementia and she was being very forgetful and I recognised the signs. Her family and daughter who is a very good friend of mine has been amazing supporting her mum - so this is for Katrina and Kath Atkinson who I love very much.
Janine
My Auntie Mary is currently living with early on-set dementia and has been put in a home earlier this year as her care at home required more round the clock supervision. I have also lost my granny on the same side of the family, from Alzheimer's disease, I want to run for this amazing charity that is extra close to my heart and support this the fight for a cure to this devastating disease.
Taking on an event for Alzheimer’s Society is one of the most fulfilling and impactful ways to give back to your community and support those in need—especially while you’re able to run. Contributing to a cause like this is incredibly rewarding, and if you or anyone you know is affected by the disease, don’t hesitate to sign up for a run or even a walk. It’s a powerful way to raise awareness and get involved in tackling a widespread issue that affects so many people in our communities.
Taking on an event for Alzheimer’s Society is one of the most fulfilling and impactful ways to give back to your community and support those in need—especially while you’re able to run. Contributing to a cause like this is incredibly rewarding, and if you or anyone you know is affected by the disease, don’t hesitate to sign up for a run or even a walk. It’s a powerful way to raise awareness and get involved in tackling a widespread issue that affects so many people in our communities.
Emer
My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 56 years old in July 2023. I’m running for the Alzheimer’s Society to raise funds and awareness of the need for earlier diagnosis more funding for research and support for those living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia and their families.
I’m running for my wife - my family and for everyone on this incredibly difficult journey through life
Love Paul x
I’m running for my wife - my family and for everyone on this incredibly difficult journey through life
Love Paul x
Paul
Five years ago, a very kind lady who I knew for 30 years was diagnosed with dementia. This is the first time I had experienced someone with dementia. I saw her deteriorate over the years where she finally ended up in a home, she battled so hard, which inspired me to run this half marathon for her. Since signing up a very good friend of mine has also got dementia so I’m also running for him.
Richard
My Nan was diagnosed with Dementia in January 2023. Growing up my Nan was my best friend, she came to every show I ever done. Mum, Nan and I have always been so close. The last (almost) 2 years have been tough on us and as her condition develops so does the care she needs.
I am now one of the main carers for my Nan and wouldn’t change life for anything.
I love my Nan even if she cannot always remember our life.
I am now one of the main carers for my Nan and wouldn’t change life for anything.
I love my Nan even if she cannot always remember our life.
Shannon
My mom was diagnosed with dementia about 4 years ago. She’s only 60, so it’s been extra hard to accept such early fate. She lives back in Portugal with my dad, so it’s been a battle in my head on whether I should give up my life in the UK and go back to be there for the last few years she’ll remember me. It gets even harder when I think of my dad taking care of her alone, probably also feeling alone himself as she’s there physically but not mentally.
I decided to take part in this event to feel like I’m doing something, even far away. I never really liked running, but running for a purpose has changed things. It motivates me to get out of the house and forces me to stay active, which by itself helps fight the development of dementia. The feeling after a run (especially after a long run) can't be beat.
It's a win-win situation: you're helping others by donating to a great cause, while also helping yourself by keeping fit.
I decided to take part in this event to feel like I’m doing something, even far away. I never really liked running, but running for a purpose has changed things. It motivates me to get out of the house and forces me to stay active, which by itself helps fight the development of dementia. The feeling after a run (especially after a long run) can't be beat.
It's a win-win situation: you're helping others by donating to a great cause, while also helping yourself by keeping fit.
Joana
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.