Next Summer we’re off to Ulan Ude. We thought we’d take the scenic route - Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia... We also thought we’d drive it in a dinky little micro van (presently unnamed) who is currently more rust than van.

It has dawned on us that this is quite a long way. With no major disasters it will probably take us around 6 weeks, which will quite possibly be the longest time that Matt and I have ever spent in each others company.

Despite the fact that we couldn’t think of anything that sounded more fun to do with our summer than spend it driving through the desert eating goats testicles and drinking yak milk,  it has presented a rather wonderful opportunity to do a spot of fundraising.

It is estimated that one million people in the UK will have dementia by 2021. Until there is a cure we need ways to live better with dementia, slow its progress and reduce the likelihood of developing the condition.

Dementia Adventure is a multi-award winning charity with a simple mission: to enable people with dementia to get outdoors, connect with nature & retain a sense of adventure. Often a person with dementia finds that their life changes dramatically. Holidays, travel & outdoor activity may feel like things that are no longer available to them. Yet there are huge benefits to keeping active & getting outdoors. DA specialises in supported holidays for people with dementia & their carers to enjoy together.

Dementia Adventure believes in focusing on the individual, not the disease. By looking at what people can do, rather than what they can’t, DA support them to get outdoors, connect with nature, themselves and their community. Since 2009 they have trained thousands of individuals and organised many supported dementia holidays—making a huge difference to people with dementia and their carers.

As well as the boost to quality of life that supported holidays offer to people living with dementia and their carers, DA take an active role in research. Armed with their research data, they hope to help people living with dementia to get outside, continue to be active members of their community and carry on doing the things they love.

The immense value of the work done by DA can be seen at https://dementiaadventure.co.uk/about-us/our-impact/. The moving stories of families who have experienced the support of DA first hand say more than we ever could about the difference your donations will make to the quality of life of families living with dementia.