To raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK, I am going to be taking part in a 'gaming marathon';  playing computer games on my PC for 24 hours straight.  The entire event will be streamed live on twitch.tv, so that followers can tune in and watch as I play numerous games over the course of 24 hours. The cause is very personal to me, please read on to learn my story.

About 3 years ago, my Dad, Peter, started showing early signs of dementia. At first, we dismissed it as nothing more than 'old age'.  Simple things like, not responding to questions, or forgetting what he was talking about.  Since then, his condition has deteriorated to the point that he is now unable to communicate effectively. 

He suffers from a rare (and largely unknown) form of dementia known as Frontotemporal Dementia (Pick's disease or FTD).  FTD affects a different part of the brain than the more commonly known, Alzheimer's Disease, and is found in only 5% of all Dementia cases.  70% of all FTD suffers start to show signs between the ages of 45 and 64, much earlier than other dementia types. My dad was just 59 when symptoms started to show.

FTD begins in either the frontal or temporal lobes affecting one of 3 areas initially: Behavior, Language, and Motor skills.  Over time, the disease spreads to affect the other areas until the sufferer is unable to communicate, or process what is socially acceptable and solve problems. After just 3 years, my dad is now at a stage where he is unable to form sentences, or understand complex commands.  Over time, these changes can begin to change the personality of the sufferer, however, memory remains largely unaffected.

There is currently no cure, no way to slow the spreading of FTD. As with all types of dementia, the people close to the sufferer are forced to watch as their beloved friend or relative is slowly pulled away from them, warping their personality, and their ability to fit into society. 

I'm raising money towards Alzheimer's Research UK.  Despite their name, they don't just focus on one type of dementia, but I consider them all to be equal in their impact. Alzheimer's Research UK funds research projects around the UK in an effort to find the causes of this dreadful disease so that, within our lifetimes, we can prevent our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters to have to go through the heart wrenching experience of having their loved ones pulled away. 

Thanks for reading my story, this cause is incredibly personal for me and I'm eternally grateful for any donations and exposure.    Every single penny counts.