For about 7 months I have been working at a nursing home looking after people with dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.  This has been a real “eye opener” because I didn't realise the effects, aside from memory loss, which most people associate with dementia.  People think that Alzheimer's is just little old ladies getting lost and being a bit forgetful but there is a lot more to it than that.  I have cared for residents who have experienced stiffness of joints, incontinence and psychological problems such as out of character aggression.

This is why I have decided to ask you to sponsor me in aid of the Alzheimer's Research Trust when I run the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday (23rd May 2010).