Over the past few years, I’ve sadly lost both of my parents to Alzheimer’s disease. My dad passed away in May 2023 at 76, and my mum followed in August 2025, also aged 76, after bravely facing both Alzheimer’s and terminal cancer. During this time, I also lost several aunties affected by dementia.

For a long period, I cared for both of my parents full time. It was something I did with love, but it meant my life was centred around their needs. Since their passing, I’ve been left not only with grief, but also a significant void where that purpose once was.

Watching someone you love gradually fade through dementia is heartbreaking. It affects not just the person living with it, but the whole family. Throughout our journey, the Alzheimer’s Society supported us with guidance, reassurance, and understanding when we needed it most.

This challenge is about more than fitness — it’s my way of turning loss into something positive. Running has helped me rebuild, process everything, and move forward while carrying their memory with me.

I’m committed to running the following events, in memory of my parents to raise funds so the Alzheimer’s Society can continue supporting families like mine.

- Newport Marathon Festival 10K (April, completed)
- Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K (May)
- Swansea Half Marathon (June)
- Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K (July)
- Cardiff 10K (September)
- Cardiff Half Marathon (October)

I am doing the walk in memory of my Mum , who passed away last year in September , I am thinking of her every single day I miss her so much. I wanted do something for her , for the first couple of months I needed to do something so I came across this challenge. I have a goal to achieve and helping this charity .

My Nanny and Grandad, I watch how brave they are battling vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s and how emotionally draining and scary it can be for them. I hope I always make them proud especially being apart of London Landmarks HM on behalf of Alzheimer’s Society and representing them🫶🩵

I’m taking part in the Stonehenge Trek26 walk this Saturday with my niece Harriet, we are walking in memory of our wonderful mum/nana, Heather, who lost her battle with Alzheimer’s in January 2025.

I'm running Grt Manchester 10k run in memory of my beautiful Mum, Audrey. Sadly past away 27th November 2025 having fought the demon dementia for a few years. She was the glue that held our family together and will ALWAYS be missed.

Dear Alzheimer’s Society team,

I hope you’re well.

I’m getting in touch to share my story in the hope that it might help raise awareness of early onset dementia and support other families going through similar experiences. I would be incredibly grateful if you would consider featuring it—whether on your website, blog, or social media channels.

On 10th May, I will be running the Leeds Marathon, just seven months after having my first baby, in honour of my mum.

During my pregnancy, I was also fighting a very different battle—advocating for my mum to be assessed for early onset dementia. For years, her symptoms were dismissed as mental health-related, despite me recognising that something more serious was happening.

Throughout this time, I attended GP appointments, psychological assessments, and meetings with social work teams and other organisations alongside my mum. I repeatedly had to explain her symptoms and my concerns, often in front of her, which was incredibly difficult for us both. Despite this, I was often told that my mum herself needed to ask for help.

As her condition worsened, she lost the ability to recognise what was happening to her or to advocate for herself. This created an incredibly distressing situation where, despite clearly needing support, she was unable to meet the system’s expectations—and as her daughter, I was unable to speak on her behalf in the way that was needed.

This is something I found particularly challenging: there seems to be a gap where someone can become seriously unwell, yet families are still unable to effectively advocate for them. It meant repeatedly reliving difficult conversations, feeling unheard, and at times questioning my own judgement, while knowing something was deeply wrong.

It took six years of pushing for answers before she was finally assessed. By that time, her condition had progressed rapidly. Over the past year, I have lost almost all connection with her—she is no longer able to communicate or engage in the ways she once did.

Her story highlights what I feel is a significant gap in recognising early onset dementia, particularly in women. Symptoms can often be attributed to other conditions, leaving families to fight for answers while their loved ones continue to decline.

I am sharing my story to raise awareness that dementia does not only affect older people—it can impact younger individuals and families too. Earlier recognition, better understanding, and clearer pathways for families to advocate are urgently needed.

If appropriate, I would be honoured if you would consider sharing my story, particularly in support of my upcoming marathon and fundraising efforts.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I truly appreciate the work you do to support individuals and families affected by dementia.

Kind regards, Sarah

I’m walking 106km round the Isle of Wight for my Mum, my Dad and my Grandma who all lived with Dementia before we lost them.

Whilst each of them had very different symptoms, they all lived with the disease with such dignity I can only be so proud of them.

I hope to finish this challenge and will be spurred on in the knowledge that they couldn’t choose to bail out and I hope I have the courage to finish this challenge whatever is thrown at me over the 2 days.

Most wonderful is the support I’ll have from family and friends - I can’t do this alone. You can’t do dementia alone.

The picture is of mum who we lost just 2 years ago.

Walking in support of my mum who suffered from Alzheimer’s who is now at rest.

I'm running london in memory of my wonderful mum, who sadly passed away in October 2020. To see someone you love slowly fade away and not remember you is truly heartbreaking 💔

I am running in the 2026 London Marathon for my partner Graham who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2024 aged 66. He is my motivation and inspiration in so many ways. He shows me how to deal with a huge life event and run with it. Back in 1984 he ran the London Marathon in an amazing time, with no gels or great science to running back then. Just grit and determination, which he is pulling on again dealing with his diagnosis so heroically. My hero!