So ... where to start?

Firstly, I want to thank you for coming to my page and taking time to even read this. I am completely grateful and hope you will give me an extra few minutes to carry on reading why I am doing this.

As most of my close family and friends know, theres nothing more I love than a little challenge ... and believe me the training for this 1/2 marathon has come with its ups and downs, both mentally and physically. And I guess this is why running for Dementia UK just makes sense.

Back in 2009 my sister in-laws Dad Eddie Thoday was diagnosed with Dementia. And although I knew about the illness I never quite took on board just how heart breaking this illness is for both the patient and the people around them.

Eddie has been in my life since I was 13 and now i'm 28. He is a kind and gentle man, that always made me laugh and smile every time I was in his company. 

Eddie's first signs of Dementia started with forgetting the occasional thing, and couldn't quite find the words to say what he wanted too. As the years have gone by Eddie's condition has deteriorated and now he sometimes does not even recognised his own family, which is at times the most heart breaking part of Dementia.

Eddie has an amazing family - wife Maureen, two daughters Clare (my sister in-law) and Amanda, 6 grandchildren, 2 son in-laws and the list goes on. The reason I have to mention this is because Dementia also sadly effects the people who love and care for Eddie. 

Maureen (Eddies main carer) is such an inspiration to anyone, her strength of character, and selflessness to care for Eddie is beyond words I can put in writing. His two daughters Clare and Amanda are also real inspirations and credits to Eddie, as even when times are tough they continue to put on a brave face and look on the brighter side of the situation, which I know is something I myself would find hard to do.

So ... please, please, please, please, please give just a small donation to this very worthwhile cause. The people I have wrote about today mean so much to me, and although I know running this 1/2 marathon will not find the cure to Dementia straight away. It will be small steps to help a condition that effects so many lives, and is such a cruel condition that need extensive research. So, to all my amazing family, friends and work associates please dig deep and help Dementia UK.

Love Always Jane x x x

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.