As most of you will be aware, I have worked at Harrowells Limited for some time now in the Private Client department, more specifically in the elderly client team and in that time I have developed an increasing level of understanding of Dementia/Alzheimer's. We have clients who suffer with this dreadful condition and over time I have learnt their story. Where they worked, if they were married, did they have children? I have seen photographs of family holidays, family weddings and parties. Now they are in care homes, they do not remember if they were married or had children, they do not remember the holidays or parties. On a personal level, I find this heart-breaking.

Last week I was sat on the bus, an elderly lady and her daughter got on the bus, mum was clearly agitated and looked completely lost, she became angry because another lady was sat in her seat and became distressed. A conversation was struck up with the daughter, myself and another passenger. The daughter explained how her elderly mum was deteriorating and her dad was struggling to look after her, but there was no funding for respite, so she took her mum out for a couple of hours to help give dad a break. Her mum throughout, was very confused, she did not know where she was and when it came to her stop did not recognise the area and refused to get off the bus. It was so upsetting to watch. I wanted to give them both the biggest hug.

This was the first time I had witnessed a family's struggle with Dementia. I went home and told Mark, I wanted to raise money for  Alzheimer's Society, I looked on their website and found the Sky Dive. I knew straight away that this is what I wanted to do, I have to do something big, to raise a lot of money so I signed up. When I told Mark how I was going to raise the money, he did not hesitate in saying he would love to join me.

I mentioned my jump to my colleagues at Harrowells Solicitors and they agreed that they would help with sponsorship and to make this jump even better an invitation was sent to members of staff at Alzheimers Society, inviting them to jump with me. Nicki Nalton jumped at the chance, she sees first hand how much fundraising is needed every year, she has told me it costs 6.6 ,million to run their services every year. We are delighted that she will join us.

 So here we are the three of us ready to jump out of a plane to help those who need help and support. Please, please make this worth our while and support this amazing charity.

Who knows if our own life will be touched with dementia and it is us that needs the help.

Lots of love

Jo & Mark xxx