I'm turning the big 4-0 this year!!! To distract me from this, I'm aiming to push myself far out of my comfort zone and run 44 miles!! I usually stick to shorter distances so this will be a real challenge for me.

This challenge is nothing, though, compared to the challenges that those diagnosed with dementia and their families face. I am doing this in memory of our amazing dad, who we lost in 2012 just 3 years after he received a diagnosis of vascular dementia. By raising money for Alzheimer's Research UK, I hope to do something towards defeating dementia so that other families don't have to go through what my family did.

Over 850,000 people are currently living with dementia in the UK and that number is rapidly rising.

At £26 billion each year, dementia costs the UK economy more than cancer and heart disease combined, but over two thirds of the care for dementia patients is paid for by themselves or their family. 

• £20 could fund one hour of vital research.
• £50 could provide access to specialist equipment for studying cells.
• £120 could support complex protein analysis.
• £300 could pay for a genetic test to help identify risk genes.

Many thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.