Last year, while watching breakfast telly, I was inspired and moved to tears by Kevin Sinfield and what he did for his mate, Rob Burrow, and to raise awareness and money for MND. So inspired that I signed up for my first (and only!) marathon - the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May 2023! I thought it was a ballot and never dreamed I'd get a place, but an email came back immediately and I was in! 

Kevin said, "I'm just going for a run for a mate," so I decided to go for a run in memory of my mate - my dad. 

My dad, Brian Hyde, was a great bloke. He loved a laugh, a drink, a singalong and was a larger than life personality.  He loved walking, sport, playing cricket and football for local teams and then, later on, he became a very popular referee who'd rather have a little word with a player than hand out a card. We had some great times together -  playing football and cricket, having a drink and a laugh and our family singalong party nights were legendary! 

When I was younger, we used to run together and entered a few races. We got up to a half marathon, generally finishing at around the same time, although, on one memorable occasion, he finished way in front of me as I was wearing brand new trainers and limped the last few miles! I definitely won't make that mistake again!

My dad developed Alzheimer's in the last few years of his life. Alzheimer's is a devastating illness that wrecks lives completely. To see the person you love become a shadow of themselves, to not recognise their family, to not be able to care for themselves is horrendous. The person you love is still there, right in front of you, but everything that makes them who they are - their personality, their memories, the times you shared together -  is stolen from them, day by day. We lost my dad twice, once to Alzheimer's and again when he died. Nobody should have to go through that.

The Alzheimer's Society offers help and support to families in this heartbreaking situation. Please give whatever you can to enable them to help as many people as possible. Every donation really will make a huge difference to someone's life.

So, on May 14th 2023, in Leeds, I'm just going for a run for a mate - my dad, Brian Hyde.

Alzheimer’s Society is transforming the landscape of dementia forever.Until the day we find a cure, we will create a society where those affected by dementia are supported and accepted, able to live in their community without fear or prejudice.