On 26th July 2014, my father, Ian Wicks, passed away, having fought a long battle with dementia for several years. However, he was only diagnosed with dementia about a year before his death. Since dementia is a degenerative disease, early diagnosis is critical for slowing the advancement of the symptoms. Since my father suffered from dementia for a substantial amount of time before being given treatment, his health declined rapidly in his later years, which was an exceedingly difficult time for him, his family and his friends.

This year, the Life Cycle team at the University of Nottingham is raising money to fund a new project, which will use their Nobel Prize winning MRI scanning technology to conduct world-leading research into different ways that dementia damages brain cells. The aim of this research is to achieve earlier diagnosis and better treatment for people with dementia.

To support this cause, I will be cycling the 100 Mile Great Notts Bike Ride on 21st June and the 75 Mile Life Cycle Community Day on 23rd August.

1 in 3 people in the UK have a family member or close friend affected by dementia. Having been one of those 33%, I want to do all I can to help others in the same situation by supporting this research.

More information can be found about Life Cycle and the cause here: www.nottingham.ac.uk/lifecycle.

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