Little did I know when I started work with Alzheimer's Society four years ago this summer that my own mum would be affected by this cruel and distressing disease. As a family we are supporting her to stay in her own home and in her familar surroundings for as long as possible, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for her and us. She now mixes up my daughter's names (Hannah 21, Molly 18 and Emily 16) and forgets how old they are and what they are doing with their lives.

Molly is great at supporting and helping out with mum and wants to take part it in Northern Ireland Memory Walk Marathon because she can see the effect that dementia is having on her grandma. She hates the stigma and discrimination that older people face in society,  especially those who have dementia and mental illness, and would like to see our communities accept people as they are and play an active part in society for as long as possible irrespective of their age or health condition.

By supporting us in our fund raising you will be helping Alzheimer's Society to continue to support thousands of people with dementia through the services that the charity runs, such as Memory Cafe's and Singing for the Brain Groups - see: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=760&pageNumber=4 - and to ultimately find a cure for this disease that touches so many people and their families and friends across the UK.

I'm sure Molly being ultra fit will find the Marathon a breeze - I however may be hobbling or crawling over the finish line - but please support our efforts to make a difference for people living with dementia.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.

So please dig deep and donate now.