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Over recent years I have come to witness several cases of dementia in friends and family. It is a particularly cruel drip by drip removal of a persons character and the memories they hold. It affects their loved ones so deeply, as the person they are close to ebb's away and yet is still there, in physical form. Dementia can strike at a younger person as well as the elderly. This is what happened to Susan my sister in law. I first met Sue in the mid 1970's as the older sister of a close school friend, Steve. I later married Steve's younger sister Julie. Sue became a matriarch figure of the extended family. Being a state registered nurse, Sue was one of the most hard working and caring people I have ever met.

In her early fifties, Sue started to suffer the effects of dementia. Sue gave the best care she could to others during her life. It is true, you reep what you sow.  Her boys put their lives on hold to take care of her. Their respective partners and friends also got fully involved in trying to make the best of the remaining life that Sue had left. They set up a constant rota of care for her and maintained a calm environment for her for as long as they could, in her own home. They are all hero's. 
We sadly lost Sue in October 2022, She was just 63 years old.
I took up long distance running about 12 years ago, running many half and full marathons, unfortunately my best fitness has long gone, but while the raw loss of Sue is still in our minds, I want to have a go at the 2023 Brentwood Half Marathon to try and raise funds for Alzheimer's Research UK.

I first did this event in 2012 taking 1hr 46 minuets. I will be lucky if I can do it in less than 3 hours now.

Up date, 12 March 2023. I did it in 2hrs 12 minuets. I was over the moon, I had been ill with a chest infection up to 2 weeks before the event. I did barley enough training so I was well pleased with the result. I liked it so much I have booked myself into the Zig Zag Half Marathon at Bury St Edmunds 14th May 2023

Anything you can spare to donate to this cause will be so much appreciated. It will not only help those who suffer with dementia but it will help those who help them. It will also go towards research for ways to reduce the effects and suffering for those hit by this devastating illness.

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.