This is going to be my first (and possibly last) marathon at the age of 52. As some of you may know this was originally planned for April 2020. I returned from a 20 mile training run in March 2020 to an email cancelling the London Marathon that year due to the pandemic. 

So much has changed since early 2020 for so many people. The pandemic had many negative effects but specifically for those families caring for dementia sufferers the pressures were intense during those isolating lockdowns. Thankfully those times are behind us but as a GP I know currently when the NHS and social services struggle to provide the care required for our dementia patients, it falls upon families and carers to cope. Charities such as Dementia UK are needed more than ever.

Admiral Nurses provided by Dementia UK give much needed advice and support to the care givers and patients, helping them deal with their evolving complex illness. I have witnessed the difference this can make. This is why I am back training in the depths of winter with a body that is definitely three years slower.

Please help me support this charity, I know that giving may not be so easy at this time but we need to look after the vulnerable in our society. So please give what you can and I will endeavour to give my best effort over 26.2 miles on April 23rd.