Dear Family, Friends and Chums - it's that time of year again when I can be seen belting my way along the sea-front between Herne Bay and Whitstable or the Medway Countryside Park in order to get fit for the Great North Run and raise some money for charity in the process! This year my chosen charity is The ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY.

I guess like most folk  I have encountered the pain and stress  of friends and family who have coped or are trying to cope with a loved one suffering from Alzheimers. Earlier this year I chatted to an old friend whose wife is now having to live apart from him in a residential home due to the level of her Alzheimers. It is hard to imagine the distress and torment he feels daily. At a time they should be enjoying their retirement together and after 50+ years of marriage they are separated in more ways than one. A visit to her residential home is a clear reflection on just what a devastating disease Alzheimers is and how it shatters people's lives.

And this is simply why I have chosen the Alzheimers Society as my charity for the Great North Run.

I would be really grateful if you could support my endeavours this year.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Just to assure you donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thanks again for making any donation  and in any case, think of me on the 19th September and pray also for good weather!.