**Update**

Well, it's all over - in over 20 Degree heat, the Edinburgh Marathon was completed in 4 Hours, 5 Minutes and 14 Seconds.  The last hour was probably the hardest physical thing I have ever done with the heat exhaustion and a number of stops for cramp. 

As I passed an every increasing number of people lying strewn by the road suffering from the heat and it got more and more painful, the thought of the amount of money everyone had so generously donated, kept me running until the end.

Thank you once again to everyone who has donated on this site and offline - it really will make a big difference.

 

Jonathan

 

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Firstly, thank you for making it this far to my fundraising page - I hope you will be able to make a donation before you leave.

I'm not only going to be running the Edinburgh Marathon on the 31st May, but also the Great Edinburgh Run (10k) on 3rd May - great value for your donation I think in these difficult economic times !

For someone who had barely broken into a jog in the past 7 or 8 years, it was going to take something fairly significant to get me to take on that challenge.  This was it....

Many of you reading this page will know that my Dad, John Shawcross, suffered from a disease called Lewy Body Syndrome - a form of Dementia.  Over a period of 5 or 6 years, I watched the disease slowly but surely take away the loving and fun man I knew, until on the morning of 10th February 2002, it finally took his life too.

During this time, I also observed how the disease affected so many other lives, including my Stepmother, who gave her life for the duration of his disease to become his full time carer.

If by donating here, you contribute towards one less person suffering in the way I saw my Dad suffer and if you make the lives of those people who dedicate themselves in the care of Dementia sufferers that little bit easier, then you will have made a real and lasting difference.

Alzheimer Scotland are dedicated to providing a wide range of support services to those suffering with Dementia and those caring for them.  They also undertake significant work in raising awareness of the disease with the public and government.

Remember too, donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Alzheimer Scotland gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Thank you so much from me and from everyone involved in tackling Dementia.

Jonathan