UPDATE 23/03/10: It's over! Despite injuring my calf just six days before the race I managed to wobble round in a respectable 2:10 . It was a beautiful day for spectating but way too hot for running - for me anyway - but the generosity of everyone who has sponsored me was a real incentive to get to the finish line (or was it just the promise of a free icecream?) Thank you again for all your support. Emma

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On March 21st I will be attempting Lisbon Half marathon and for once I've decided to do something useful and raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. I'll be running in memory of my father-in-law, Gerald Crawshaw, who very sadly suffered with dementia.

Dementia is one of the main causes of disability in later life, ahead of cancer, cardiovascular disease and strokes.

One in three people over 65 will die with dementia.

Over 700,000 people have dementia in the UK, this will rise to over 1 million by 2025.

Dementia is not a part of natural aging - it is caused by diseases of the brain that rob people of their lives and devastate families.

As yet, no single factor has been identified as the cause. The Alzheimer's Society not only raises money to fund research but also provides daily care for people with dementia, as well as support for the families and friends coping with the demands of care. It is a cause I really believe in and I thank you for any contribution you can make to the Alzheimer's Society.

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now. All costs associated with me running in Lisbon are being met by myself, so 100% of your donation will go towards fighting dementia.