I'm taking on the Cardiff Half Marathon 2019 to support families facing dementia across the UK. Dementia UK provide specialist dementia nurses who provide dementia care to families in need, enabling them to live more positively with dementia. 

A few weeks ago, my cousin asked me to join her and run the Cardiff Half Marathon. I wasn't too sure, I didn't believe enough in myself to complete it and felt that if I failed the Marathon then I'd be failing my Ampie. The niggling feeling didn't leave me though so I knew it wasn't a definite no and then one night, without over-thinking I signed up. 

As many of you who know me will know, my Ampie was one of the most important people in my life. For the first 7 1/2 years of my life, he was the only father-figure I had. He was so stubborn, must be where I get mine from 😊 He was my hero. His house was always my 'safe place'. 

I have so many amazing memories growing up with him and these are what will partly get me through training and the Cardiff Half. I was very naive. I had never known anyone or seen anyone affected by dementia before my Ampie. It was heart-breaking. I used to see on facebook people sharing posts about missing someone that was still alive, it didn't make sense to me. Until the day that THAT became our reality. It did make me appreciate the 'good' days even more than I already did. When Dilan would walk in the room and Ampie's eyes instantly lit up and it would take me right back to when I was when I was a little girl. 

I have a huge task a head of me to get ready for 6th October but he had my back every single day of my life, he was always there, so I know he'll be with me every (breathless) step of the way. I made a promise on the day I signed up, that I wouldn't quit. He fought so long and hard so even if I have to crawl to the finish line, then I will. This is for you Amps xxxx