Dementia is a challenge our family never anticipated. Each year, month and now week bring new hurdles that we are all still learning how to cope with.

Our dad, and our mum's beloved husband, has been diagnosed with vascular dementia. This disease has been manifesting over the years and progressively gets more difficult to deal with as the variety of symptoms change daily.

As a close-knit family, we deeply love and care for each other and we strive to understand and support one another on this journey. This experience has been filled with the heartache of watching someone we love lose parts of their personality while still being physically present.

Dad’s condition has worsened over time. He now suffers from severe memory loss, quietness, mood swings, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, disorientation and vertigo. These symptoms make everyday life increasingly challenging.

We (Alex and Charmaine) will be taking part in the 'Memory Walk' on the 14th September. We want to raise awareness about this devastating disease because it is a tough reality for any family to face. While we remain strong and supportive together but individually we still struggle with accepting this new reality.

Any donation, no matter the size, can contribute to research and support efforts aimed at combating dementia. Your generosity can help ensure that, one day, we can prevent our loved ones from enduring the hardships we face.

Thank you all for your support,

Alex and Charmaine Brown.

Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. Someone develops it every three minutes and currently there is no cure. We know it is scary, but we must confront the biggest health & social care challenge of our time. We owe it to the 900,000 people across the UK currently living with dementia to campaign for change, whilst providing vital day-to-day support. By taking part and raising money, or donating to someone who is, you are helping to do this.