My husband, Pete Holman, a well respected teacher and musician, first showed signs of dementia at the age of 51.                             

After a very difficult 3 years of struggling to maintain his grip on his work and life in general, Pete was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease. I became his carer for the next five years whilst maintaining my own job and caring for two teenagers who couldn't understand what was happening to their much loved Dad.

When Pete's behaviour became too challenging he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital where he spent his 60th birthday. After a horrendous year he went into a nursing home for seven years. For the last three years of his life he lay in bed, unable to move or speak. Pete was just 67 when he died after 16 years of suffering.

Throughout this harrowing time The Alzheimer's Society were a great source of comfort, financial help and constant support.

I am undertaking this trek in honour of Pete and to raise funds so that The Alzheimer's Society can continue their research into prevention and cure so that this terrible suffering can be eradicated.