Lets trek 26 miles... it will be fine.. whilst watching 'Dementia and me' an email pinged up saying 'Trek 26 for Alzheimer's Society' so thought it must be a sign from Dad so signed Dave and I up to do a charity trek and  then a few hours later the realisation 26 miles is a long way, a marathon.. especially in the hilly Cotswolds but will be worth it to raise money and awareness of Dementia and give back to Alzheimer's Society.

Dad lived the best 61 years until he became ill with Dementia, so full of life, always happy, singing (which when I was trying to have a lie in or hungover and heard 'morning has broken' at top volume I didn't always appreciate!) but now would love to hear Dad sing again.  He loved life, his family and enjoyed each day.  When he became unwell it took months of in and out of different hospitals, some horrible experiences for him and for us which I still struggle with and he was then diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia.  I had never heard of it even from previously working in Southmead and care homes and didn't realise dementia or early onset dementia could happen as young as 61.  It was a hard 5 years for Dad and for us all and Dementia is a cruel, cruel illness taking someone so happy to someone so anxious and not wanted to leave the house.  It took Dad away from the person he was which is so hard to deal with for Dad, for mum and all of us.

When Dad was diagnosed I didn't know where to turn so I contacted Alzheimer's Society and they sent a book to me all about Lewy Body Dementia, they also sent Ralph and Poppy dementia magazines 'Dementia Superheroes' to explain to children about it and Poppy showed them to her classmates and in her school report it said how much Poppy knew about Dementia and she talked openly about her Grampy having it.  Mum also went to an Alzheimer's Society support group, where she has made a really good friend, who's husband has dementia and they meet up and I think this has been a great support for mum and her friend meeting people in similar situations.  I hope these groups and support will continue with money raised.

Dad sadly died April 2020 aged 66, I miss him every single day.  Luckily he was at home when he died with mum, myself, Jenny and Colin.  Due to Covid we could only have 10 at his funeral but finally September 2021 got to have a celebration of Dad's life with our family, which was very much needed and so glad we got to give him a proper send off.

I think this trek will be hard but I know I will have Dave by my side and I know Dad went through a lot harder times in the 5 years he was unwell so I hope I do him proud and raise lots of money and that he's saying in heaven 'That's my girl' x

This Trek is to raise money to support people devastated by dementia. Explore the rural landscape of the Cotswolds as you trek through ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows and historic Cotswold stone villages.