Thanks for dropping by - the reason I'm doing this crazy challenge is my dad. He was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia called Pick's Disease when he was just 58.

WIth hindsight, he had been ill for some time but that's the cruel thing about dementia, it just creeps up on you and before you know it, it's got you.

If you don't know anyone with dementia, it's a really horrible disease that takes away the very essence of the person you knew and just leaves a shell behind. It affects the husbands and wives, children and grandchildren and in my dad's case, the parents too.

The Alzheimers Society has been a massive support to my parents since my Dad was diagnosed more than nine years. Advice, support groups for my mum and art therapy classes for my dad have been just some of the things they've done.

All online donations will go to the Alzheimer's Society but I'm also raising money for Al's Cafe, a monthly get together for younger people with dementia and their partners. All cash donations will go to Al's Cafe (as we can't donate online) so if you'd rather support Al's Cafe, get in touch with me or donate in person at The Shrewsbury Club.

So there you have it - my reason for spending 12 hours on a crosstrainer on April 14th.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thanks for your support. I really appreciate it.

Jo x