Over the course of December, me and Rosie will be taking on a 200-mile run challenge (100 miles each). This will be in memory of our Grandad John who we sadly lost last Christmas to Alzheimers disease.

Alzheimers disease is a progressive type of dementia which slowly destroys a person's memory and independence to the point they become a shell of their former self. It took years worth of memories with our Grandad away from us, and it broke our hearts to watch someone we love so much, fight the illness which pulled him further and further away from us.

Our Grandad was diagnosed with Alzheimers at just age 57 which is so young! He was loved and looked after for many years by our Nan, until 2019 where he spent 5 years in specialist care homes. As the disease progressed, things became incredibly difficult to the point me and Rosie were advised not to visit him anymore. Not being able to see your own Grandad for 5 years even though he is so close is a pain impossible to put into words. Missing someone who's still alive is its own kind of grief, and those years apart were some of the hardest for us both.

We're running to honour him on what's been the first year of our lives without him, and to support other families facing the same cruel journey. What we went through as a family last Christmas is unimaginable and to see the things we saw; the pain he was in and the reality of what this illness had done to him is something no one should experience, as it is something that always sits heavy on our chests at the thought of it.

No one deserves to lose someone they love like that, and no one deserves to watch Alzheimers disease strip away a loved one's memories, their personality, and their spark.

After everything that has happened this year; me and Rosie feel a great sense of comfort knowing we're doing something that honours Grandad and even if little, helps others going through the same. 💙

My London Marathon Tribute to Mum.
This endeavor is set for the most meaningful date: April 26, 2026, which would have marked my mother’s 80th birthday.

Mum passed away in 2023 after a fierce, long battle with complex forms of dementia: Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS). FTD impacts personality and language, while CBS affects movement and memory. Understanding what "hard" truly means shifts when you witness someone you love facing these conditions every single day.

Now, I'm running my first official marathon for Alzheimer's Society with a 10kg Shield! to honour her memory and fight for change. I’m determined to make every mile count, aiming for a £2500 fundraising target.

running this race with a 10kg Shield also 😅

I am running to honour her memory, raise awareness for these complex conditions, and generate vital funds for the Alzheimer's Society. Every contribution supports groundbreaking research and helps ensure other families receive the expert information and support they desperately need.

This marathon is dedicated to her fight and our shared hope for change. This is truly for my mum and other families. 🦋

I’m supporting Alzheimer’s Society for someone incredibly close to my heart — my mum. She was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at just 52 years old, five years ago. At the time, none of us imagined it could be dementia. We thought the changes we were seeing were down to menopause. She was back and forth to the GP, trying to understand what was happening. It was only when her colleagues at the accountant’s office where she worked began noticing things too that we realised something more was going on.
After going through the dementia assessment, she was officially diagnosed in October 2021. Life changed from that moment. My mum’s partner became her full-time carer and did everything he could to keep her safe at home. He carried so much on his shoulders, and even when things became extremely difficult, especially earlier this year, when she stopped sleeping and her symptoms rapidly worsened, he kept going, quietly coping alone for five months before asking for help.
Now, she is in an assessment hospital, and we’re watching her deteriorate. It’s heartbreaking to see my mum unable to communicate properly, unable to ask for her grandchildren, unable to be the woman we knew. There’s a particular kind of pain in wanting to pick up the phone to tell her about my day and knowing I can’t, a grief that comes in waves, even though she’s still here.
This journey is one I never imagined we’d face, and it’s why I’m supporting Alzheimer’s Society. No family should have to feel this alone, this lost, or this helpless. I want to raise awareness, raise support, and honour the incredible woman my mum is, and all the families going through the same heartache.

My amazing Mum lost her fight against this awful disease back in June.

I'm swimming 10k in the London Marathon Swims for her and for the 10 years she bravely battled.

I love and miss her so much.

This one is for you Mum xx

My king my world my grandpa not just a grandad but a dad I never had past away in march age 94 I was so lucky to spent every day with him in his care home for 7mths and before having days out one to one listening to his stories and making me laugh he was as the best those were so so special times only if he smiled sung or just know my face his sunshine his favourite song I can’t express how much I miss him but I know he is with me looking after me still to this day. My nan who was married to grandpa for 72 years have now been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I’m doing my best to help my uncle with her as I made a promise to grandpa to help with his Jean
They have been my world and looked after me from when I was born my love for them is every thing to me. I wish I had a magic wand to help all families with their loved ones
I’ve just had a holiday with my nan she is 90 and my mum who I believe also may have the start of this awful disease it’s heart breaking as you know. But I’m right here for them and will treasure all the memories we make together and I pray one day there will be a cure. My grandparents were champs at bowls and I now honour taking on their roll in playing bowls so their name live on this is so special to me and feel grandpa is on that green I hear him so much 🌞 remember I love you grandpa over and out 🙏

My beautiful Grandma💛💛
She battled Alzheimer’s for many years but unfortunately gained her angel wings a few months ago she was the most amazing ambitious inspiring lady I’ve ever met. She has always sat very closely to my heart and has been the best possible grandmother anybody could ask for her wonderful stories over the year inspired me to become the person I’ve become today. She wasn’t just a grandmother. She was a true friend somebody who fought for me and somebody who would always be a listening ear if I ever had any issues or problems.
I am doing a memory walk for her in a few weeks time in Cumbria, And it’s all for her. I have managed to lose a lot of weight and feel healthier and fitter than I’ve ever done before, she will always be a true inspiration to me and I hope I do her proud. I know that she will be with me the day I do my walk Pushing me up to the summit. 🩷

I am running 50km for my mum Monica . She has been diagnosed with alzheimer's about 3 years ago and it is heart-breaking to see . My mum is the best person I have known in my life xx

I’m running for my wife’s grandad John. He was her whole world and 10 miles is nothing for what he and my wife Charlotte went through went he left us.