Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In 2017, my dad, Sean O'Kane, died suddenly and it became clear that Mum had dementia. Dad was in the Tank Regiment during the Suez Crisis, doing his National Service and the British Legion were able to provide help that enabled Mum to stay at home with me as her principal carer, until she moved in with my husband and me for End of Life care. Now that Alzheimer's has robbed her of so much, our only aim is to give her as much quality of life as we can. 

Changing from someone in full time work to become a full-time carer, especially caring for a person who has been such a dynamic and adventurous person as Mum, isn't a burden: it's a challenge that has taught me so much about my own capabilities and resilience (or sometimes lack of it!) and knowing there are people like the Legion who can help means a great deal. There are so many people in just the same, or similar situations to us and the Legion is there to help.

One day, we will lose her and after 4 years of fighting for her and with her, I know I will need a new challenge and something to look forward to. I am delighted to have the chance to raise money for the Royal British Legion. I grew up listening to my auntie's memories of her years in QARANC and as I grew older, I realised the horrific mental impact on my uncle of being with the first Allied troops to enter the concentration camps, not just on him but on his marriage and family.

Over the next 12 months, I will be doing a series of fundraising events, so please keep coming back to look what I am up to. 

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