Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I have decided to raise money for Dementia UK by running the Chester Half Marathon. I have never run a half marathon! The furthest I have ever run was 10k about 10 years ago, but have done a couple of 5ks since, that's my entire long distance running history! I needed a challenge to get into shape and adopt a new lifestyle of healthy eating and regular exercise. What better way than do get started by signing up for this half marathon and doing it for a cause that affects so many people's lives. Including my own and my husband's.

I have chosen this charity because my nana Enid (centre in photo) and Adam's nan Emily (right in photo) both have dementia and we have seen first hand what an awful disease this is and how it affects not only those who have it, but also those who love them.

When I was setting up this page, Just Giving asked me if I wanted to do it in memory of someone. Well although my nana is still with us in body, she is no longer my nana as I knew her, so this is in memory of the person she used to be before this awful disease took her to a place where she is constantly afraid, confused, and most of the time doesn't remember who we are or recognise us.

It's heartbreaking. She would hate to see herself now. In a care home with lots of others like her, being dressed in tatty clothes that don't belong to her because they lose all hers, looking unclean because she won't let them wash her hair because she's probably afraid and doesn't know what's going on so my mum has to do it when she brings her home for a few hours.

It's hard to deal with. My mum is an only child, and with myself and my sister Caroline living too far away to help, and my dad working away from home during the week it's taking its toll. Although nana is in a care home, it's the guilt and sadness my mum has to face daily when she can't go and visit because it's an hour round trip and she has 3 businesses to run! It's upsetting for her to have to deal with this alone. When nana comes home she looks after her, washes her, helps her go to the toilet, makes sure she eats and tries to be patient as nana asks the same questions over and over again and then asks my mum if she can stay because she doesn't want to go back. My mum is currently dealing with this all by herself, and I wish I could be there for her in person.

Nana doesn't remember this photo at all, or anything of our wedding day last August. She doesn't even recognise herself.

Dementia UK offers support and advice for those who are affected by this cruel disease. More and more people are being diagnosed with Dementia, and it could happen to us one day. Imagine having no recollection of your life you are living right now, or of your husband/wife and children. Like they no longer exist. Think how awful that would be for them to deal with.

It doesn't just affect elderly people, there are people only in their 50s who live in the care home my nana is in! I hope one day a prevention and a cure are found!

The Admiral nurses who help support families dealing with this do an amazing job and the charity need support to help train more nurses. It has been estimated that there could be about 1,000,000 people in the UK with dementia in just 10 years time and currently there are only 135  Admiral nurses in the whole of the UK.

Please help me raise funds for this amazing charity who could be one day helping you and your family.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.