I am running my first marathon in aid of Alzheimer Scotland at the 2019 London Marathon. I am doing this in honour of my grandad whose life has changed drastically at the hands of this horrible disease. 

My grandad, Tam, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013. Since then we have seen his condition steadily decline. What started with the occasional memory loss or odd question fast became wandering away from home, lost or asking where the toilet was is in his own home. This year he was moved to an NHS care home at the request of doctors, he has mostly lost all ability to recognise his own family, his memory fading and is in an incessant state of confusion. 

Everyone who is lucky enough to know my grandad, knows just how big a personality he is. A man whom you’ll never hear a bad word spoken about. To see first hand, the effect this disease can can have on someone and their close family is devastating and the reason I want to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer Scotland. 

THERE ARE NO SURVIVORS OF ALZHEIMER’S

THERE IS NO PREVENTION,

NO TREATMENT,

NO CURE. 

Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. 

Today 90,000 people in Scotland are living with dementia, and that figure is set to rise. Receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be a devastating and frightening time both for the person with dementia and for their families and friends.

Your support will help Alzheimer Scotland make sure that nobody faces dementia alone. They need to raise £15,000 every single day to help people with dementia, their carers, partners and families.

Your support will:

* help to deliver local services at over 60 sites across Scotland

* support Dementia Nurses to improve standards of healthcare for people with dementia

* fund scientific, clinical, social and policy research into dementia

* make sure that day or night – all through the year – Alzheimer Scotland's Dementia Helpline is available to everyone who needs it.

Your support will also help to provide a wide range of activities and events for people with dementia and their carers, as well as the Dementia Dog and Football Memories projects. The funds you raise or donate will make a difference to everyone living with dementia in Scotland.

Alzheimer Scotland is committed to making sure nobody faces dementia alone.

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