Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

From 2nd to 7th July I'll be tackling the 84 miles of Hadrian's Wall, Bowness-in-Solway to Wallsend. To spice up this challenge, I'll be walking in authentic Roman armour. It's as heavy - and uncomfortable - as it looks; but it's a tiny inconvenience when set against the devastating effects of Alzheimer's and Motor Neurone Disease.

I'm walking in memory of my partner's step-mother, Maureen Clarebrough. We lost Maureen to Alzheimer's just under a year ago. Through a life of many ups and downs, all bravely faced, Maureen never lost her joy in helping others and being a dear friend to many. It was hard to watch this vibrant, funny, caring lady literally leech away to greyness before our eyes, into a world inhabited by the ghosts of her past where we were unable to tread; even to offer a little comfort. Witnessing the loss of self that Maureen suffered will stay with me always. The work to bring a new Alzheimer's drug to trial at Lancaster might give hope to others and help them avoid Maureen's fate.

Our scientists are also working to tackle MND. The disease is particularly cruel as it afflicts people of all ages and in many cases moves very swiftly. It robs its victims of most of the basic human capabilities, leaving them increasingly dependent on others. Unlike Alzheimer's, it doesn't deprive them of their sense of self, which is often as strong as ever right to the end.

So I'm also walking to remember Wendy Bonington, who died from MND in 2014, and to honour long-term MND sufferer, Ruth Adorian. Wendy bore her final illness with the same selflessness and grace that characterised her life; Ruth continues to defy the illness after nearly a decade living with the condition, and remains a truly inspirational person.

We need to bring an existing drug, which has shown real possibilities of slowing the progress of MND, to clinical trial.  

We can beat Alzheimer's and MND; but only if we back the efforts being made to find cures in any way we can. My way is to lug 50lbs of armour - and myself! - end-to-end along Hadrian's Wall. By donating you will drive my footsteps; and you will also help us to take more steps towards defeating these terrible diseases.  

Perge ad gloriae.