In March 2010, six of us will be undertaking an Arctic challenge in aid of Alzheimers awareness. My father, Colin James, sadly passed away in April 2008 and suffered from this terrible condition.

The aim is to complete a route through the Saariselka wilderness in Lapland, with a possible ascent of Sokossi, which, at 718 metres, is the highest peak in the National Park. The area is located approximately 300km inside the Arctic circle and 800km north of Helsinki.  At this time of year weather conditions are unpredictable and can be severe, with temperatures dropping to -35 degrees C.

The team members are Jan Denks, his wife Merja, Christoph Pichler and his girlfriend Alex, David Walley - a friend of mine from Leamington Spa ... and me.  We will trek with snow shoes, pulling our 'pulkas' (sledges) with all our food and equipment between 8 and 20km per day, resting in huts, shelters or our tents at night. This is somewhat more than just a walk in the snow, and we hope an appropriate way to raise funds and increase awareness of the Alzheimer's Society and their work.

There are over 820,000 people in Britain suffering from dementia and over 60% of these have Alzheimers. Britain will soon have over 1million sufferers costing £23billion a year and placing an enormous burden on family and friends of those affected.

Currently, there is no cure and not many ways of slowing it down.  Due to public awareness and increased research, the survival rates for cancer and heart disease have improved dramatically.  Alzheimers is a condition that has crept up on our modern society and we will all be touched by it in one way or another.  For every pound that is spent on cancer research, currently only 8p is spent on research into dementia.  

It costs £5,000 a year to support a researcher with chemicals and equipment they need to further understand the causes of dementia so that better treatments can be developed and a search for a cure can continue.

Please donate. However small your gesture, it will be going to fund this vital research.