In 2025 the Thurlow Nunn Group of Companies will celebrate 150 years’ trading. This is a momentous achievement that the Thurlow family is extremely proud of and delighted to celebrate. However, we approach this milestone with a sense of sadness as our father, John Thurlow, who played a pivotal role in the company’s remarkable growth since taking the helm in 1968, will not be with us. Sadly, John was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in 2019 and died on 8 June 2024. The family business was everything to John. As his dementia progressed, he often found comfort in memories of his time in the office, the people he worked with and the tractors he had sold. In memory of John, we aim to raise money to support other families impacted by this devastating disease.

In the initial stages of his diagnosis, John was confused and frustrated; he struggled with daily tasks that once came easily to him. He and his wife of 61 years, Peggy, faced challenges in coming to terms with the diagnosis, feeling increasingly isolated. Despite our efforts to seek support from John’s GP, the available resources through the NHS were limited. While routine reviews and medication adjustments were made, they did little to address the underlying issues, and the realisation that their familiar life was slipping away was heart-breaking for everyone. The loss of John’s driving licence was particularly difficult for him to accept, as it stripped him of his independence and ability to support Peggy, who was also unable to drive. John remained an active man well into his 80s, enjoying regular swims and daily walks. As his condition worsened, it became unsafe for John to even go for a walk ‘around the block’ as he liked to do and the family had to fund a private carer to ensure his safety. We were fortunate to be able to afford this assistance and recognise that many families cannot. Eventually, John’s health deteriorated so much that he had to move to a specialist care home. This was the most difficult and heart-breaking decision the family has ever had to make with no professional support or advice available to us. Unfortunately, the Admiral Nurses, supported by Dementia UK, are not available in the area where we live. We are really hopeful, therefore, that our fundraising efforts can increase the number of Admiral Nurses available to support other families navigating the complexities of dementia care.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Any contribution you can make to our fundraising will be deeply appreciated.

Sally Tew, Nicola Titley & James Thurlow