On October 2^nd I’m running the Cardiff Half Marathon as Deano the Dementiasaurus to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. I would be really grateful if you could sponsor me and help to drive dementia to extinction!

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, 47.5 million people have dementia and there are 7.7 million new cases every year. There are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to over 1 million by 2025. At current rates, this 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.