On 9^th September 2018, Deano the Dementiasaurus and his Mam will be running the world’s biggest half marathon, the Great North Run to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. We would be really grateful if you could sponsor us and help to drive dementia to extinction!

This will be Deano’s fifth event, after previously raising over £1300 for dementia research through completing last year’s Great North Run, as well as half marathons in Cardiff, Liverpool and Swansea.This will be the second race that Deano the Dementiasaurus has entered together with his Mam, after the pair completed the Liverpool Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon in 2017. This year, Deano’s Mam has been training harder than ever, determined to beat their time of 3 hours 46 minutes in that race. 

Dementia is a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behaviour, communication and emotion. Although each person will experience dementia in their own way, eventually those affected are unable to care for themselves and need help with all aspects of daily life. This can transform the lives, not only of the dementia sufferer, but also of their family and friends who care for them, in frightening and unpredictable ways.

Dementia is one of the fastest growing illnesses around the world. Worldwide, around 48 million people have dementia and there are roughly 7.7 million new cases every year. Dementia became the UK's leading cause of death in 2017, overtaking heart disease for the first time. At current rates, the number of people with dementia in the UK will soar to 2 million by 2051. 

Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal or inevitable part of ageing. However, despite various ways to prevent its onset, medicines to slow its progression and treat its symptoms, and support to manage living with the disease, there is currently no known cure for most types of dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity, dedicated to funding pioneering scientific studies to find ways to treat, cure or prevent dementia. As of 2015, Alzheimer's Research UK funds 127 research projects and has committed nearly £40m to dementia research. Specifically, current studies are employing cutting-edge stem cell research to look into what causes nerve cells to die and why. Donations are essential for Alzheimer’s Research UK to fund their work,with world-class advisory panels ensuring that funding decisions are taken in a rigorous and effective manner. 

This means that if you decide to sponsor Deano the Dementiasaurusand his Mam, you will be able to check exactly how your donation is being usedto help eradicate this terrible illness.