The fact that you are here means you are thinking about donating which is fantastic.  Thank you so much.  I should explain why I asked.

 

My grandad, Aniello de Gregorio and I shared a birthday, the 25 August.  If he were still alive today he would have been 99 on my 40 birthday. He died aged 95.

 

There are few people I view as a hero, but my grandad is on the list.  A hard working man born in the south of Italy who came to England to make a better life for his family.

 

He was a man of few words, but I hung on every one of them. He loved his family, his garden, his wife's cooking and the odd glass of red wine.  He worked hard to keep southern Italian culture alive in Somerset and for that I love him even more.

 

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and needed full time care.  I didn’t see him enough towards the end of his life, but when I did I was convinced I could see a flicker of recognition in his eyes.  I was probably wrong.

 

I decided to ask for donations to the Alzheimer’s Society in lieu of 40 birthday presents because I don’t need anything. And no one should have to watch someone they love fade away like you do if they are struck with this horrible disease.

 

Thank you so much for giving.