Turning 40 in 2016 sparked the idea to take on a challenge to complete a mixture of 40 running and cycling events, ranging from 10k's, half marathons, marathons and cycling sportives over 50 miles, initially just for a personal challenge and a way to stay reasonably healthy. After a few events it became known as Sporty40 and was nothing more than a bit of fun.

But in August 2016 life changed when my mother, Eileen 77 years old, was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.

Initially it was a lot to take in and realised i knew very little about the disease. After some research and reading about Alzheimers, I was drawn to the fact that public knowledge and awareness about dementia is very limited, considering approximately 850,000 people are living with dementia and is set to rise above 1 million by 2025. I felt that maybe I could do my bit in help raising funds and awareness by using my sporty40 challenge.

Sure enough the opportunity arrived when i was asked by friends, Kevin Purvis and Stephen Nicholls, if I wanted to be part of a the ultimate  cycle challenge, Land's end to John O Groats, unsupported!! So, not one for turning down a good challenge, I accepted! 

I've chosen to raise money for Defying Dementia - Raising funds and awareness of the research taking place at Lancaster University into Alzheimer's and neurodegenerative brain disease.

So, on the 1st of July 2017 , Kev, Stephen and myself will set off  from Land's end on the 950 mile journey carrying all our own gear , hopefully reaching John O Groats in 9 days.......

Thank you for taking the time to visit my page and reading my story, I truely appreciate it.