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Seeing that publicity photo of Memory Trek walkers coming up off the beach at Bamburgh galvanised me into action. So here I am, training for my first long distance walk in many years, in honour of my Dad, Don McCracken. Why this photo? Why this charity? It brought vividly to mind the last family holiday when Dad was well enough to participate, in Northumberland, in 2010 (see photo). 

Only 6 months earlier Dad and my cousin had made the annual trip to the US to visit my sisters Caroline and Catriona, despite signs of mild confusion in Dad. Following heart failure and now with a pacemaker, his medical escort brought him home, not to his beloved Newcastle, Co Down, but to my family in Lancashire.

In the space of a month, it seemed, he had lost many of his skills, although his sense of identity, his love of walking and music, and the ability to express his wishes remained intact. But he could no longer paint, sing in choirs or work on his boat, activities which had given him much support and joy in his later years  following the death of our mother. He could not organise his day, handle money, cook or live alone, even spend more than 30 minutes alone without distress or danger. 

The sudden escalation in his condition created an earthquake in all our lives. But we were very glad to provide a safe haven for our old sailor, who enjoyed hearing his grandaughter's music and was supported by his grandson on his gap year. For 18 months he became daily companion, advocate and protector until Dad went into residential care, while we continued working to pay the bills. 

Like many families, we got to see Alzheimers /Vascular Dementia close up and very personal, experienced the cruel physical decline and saw, at some key moments, the devastating lack of effective links between hospital medical teams, experienced residential carers and families. Worst of all, we saw close up and nasty, the lack of pain relief for a month "because he cannot tell us if/where he is in pain" even when crying out. We sat through the last 5 days,back in the care home, mercifully now with adequate pain relief, while pneumonia raged. Everyone in hospital meant well, all were rushed off their feet and there was clearly a huge lack of dementia awareness. 

So, I am walking 26 miles both to remember that happy day on Bamburgh beach with my Dad and to put some more money into the research, training and education pots, hoping that others will have a chance of a more positive experience. Dad was a sailor, painter, musician and singer in his retirement, delighting in good friends and fellowship, especially when walking. So here goes! Please help me to reach and even exceed my target, in memory of Dad.

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