On May 13th, a group of us (including my sister, cousins and some of my friends) will be taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Dementia UK.

I’ve decided to take on this challenge to try and support people like my Dad (diagnosed 4 years ago with mixed Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia at the age of 68) and my Mum who works tirelessly to care for my Dad 24/7.

Unfortunately, challenges like ours and the many others that people complete are more important than ever to help fund the support that so many people need when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia. The specific reason for this fundraising challenge is to help the amazing work that the Admiral Nurses do. Admiral Nurses help people living with dementia stay independent for longer – and support the people caring for them so that they will have the strength to cope with the bad days, and the energy to enjoy the good days.

Dementia continues to take away the many memories my Dad made. I took him to a Rotherham United match recently, and as ever, he had fans coming up to him wanting to reminisce about the old games he played in. My Dad’s brain just doesn’t work like that anymore though, he can’t remember those games, he can’t piece together and link those memories. It’s tough, it’s really tough. The thing he loved doing most is more than likely what has given him this disease. (Information on independent study below).

https://recognitionhealth.com/why-are-footballers-at-increased-risk-of-developing-dementia/

Hopefully, our challenge will in someway contribute to the bigger picture of improving the support and help offered to all people living ‘with’ or diagnosed with dementia.

Best get my walking boots on. For you Dad.

The Challenge

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is 24-miles (38.6km) round trip route, and includes 1585m (5200ft) of ascent.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge takes on the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent (694 metres), Whernside (736 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres), usually in this order, and in under 12 hours. These hills form part of the Pennine range, and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.