As my mother lives with dementia, I have a strong motivation to make a difference to people for whom every day of their remaining lives is a challenge. 

I love the idea of a challenge, but until recently the idea of running the length of the UK was not something that I'd thought personally possible or sensible.

A few things have changed that. In 2019 I ran/walked/crawled Offa's Dyke - the length of Wales, finishing with a handful of injuries. Then, as lockdown eased in 2021, I ran from the Scottish border south to Chester. Both were part of races, but the outcomes were "successful" for very different, but equally valuable reasons. 

That got me thinking about how I might complete an "End to End" journey between two of the most remote points on mainland Britain. It is a lot further than you would think! The logistics and challenges, both physical and mental, mean that every leg has its own set of challenges and there is so much that could happen en-route, as I'm well aware . All that makes the whole journey a worthy challenge.

Due to work and family commitments, I'll be doing it in chunks over the coming year or so. This will also mean that I reduce the chance of injury and get to make the most out of every part of the journey! There are no guarantees as to how it will pan out, but I'm going to give it a go in the way that it comes.

I love the idea of promoting the cause on the journey, linking with people along the way and promoting inclusivity, not to mention seeing and experiencing so much of the country. I'm deliberately taking a route that takes in as little road and urban areas as possible and takes in as many special places as I can manage on the way.

I will be tracking my journey in updates below so please check back!

My blog "Below us only Clouds" tells the story of my toughest run along Offa’s Dyke…

Below us only clouds

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.