Nikki and Suzie are running the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise funds for Rare Dementia Support. 
 
Rare Dementia Support (RDS) is a UK-based service, funded by The National Brain Appeal, that offers specialist social, emotional and practical support services for individuals living with, or affected by rare dementias. The service provides access to reliable information, tailored support, and contact with others affected by similar conditions, as well as raising awareness about rare dementias. 
 
Rare dementias affect up to 15% of people with a dementia diagnosis and can cause difficulties with vision, language, movement and behaviour. They are more likely to develop at a comparatively young age (before 65 years old) and present different challenges to more common forms of dementia, including managing transitions out of work, and even childcare.  
 
Both Suzie Barker and Nikki Zimmerman know all too well the challenges facing people with a rare dementia diagnosis. RDS Direct Support Lead Nikki leads the service on a day-to-day basis while Suzie oversees governance alongside her role as Research Governance Manager for the UCL Dementia Research Centre. 

RDS works with more than 5,000 members across the UK, almost 2,000 of whom receive one-to-one support. Small and large peer support groups are held for people at every stage of a rare dementia diagnosis; they include diagnosis specific groups, carer-only and bereaved carer meetings. 
 
By sponsoring Nikki and Suzie, you are helping to ensure that everyone affected by a rare dementia diagnosis across the UK has access to this kind of support.