I lost my wonderful step-mum, or Mummy Julie, to Alzheimer's in January this year after a ten year battle - she was 62.

This intelligent, eloquent, caring, beautiful woman, who had been a force to be reckoned with my whole life since I was 5 years old, deteriorated so quickly after being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at the age of 52. My Dad retired early to care for her at home, which he did until her dying day, with myself and my two sisters by their side, holding her hands and making sure she knew how loved she was right up to her last breath.

She didn't get to watch her four grandsons grow up - but we're so grateful she got to meet them all and that they will remember their Granma. She wasn't fully herself or cognisant at mine or my sisters' weddings; and she lost the ability to communicate verbally years ago, while still in her 50s. We are so heartbroken, and lost without her.

It is such a cruel disease, and one that should never steal the life of someone so young, so full of life and with so much to live for. We want to do everything we can to fundraise to find a cure, and to make sure that others have the support they need to live with this awful, awful disease.

Myself and my sister, Heather, are running the marathon for the first time on 27th April 2025 in honour of Julie, for Alzheimer's Research UK!

We will also be hiking with my Dad for 18 miles along the Jurassic Coast on 21st September 2024! We spent so many holidays here growing up, so whilst this will be a challenge in many ways, it will also be a beautiful trip down memory lane!

Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity, striving for a cure, by revolutionising the way we treat, diagnose and prevent dementia.

With your support, we will keep going until every person is free from the heartbreak of dementia.

Thank you for supporting me as I run 26.2 miles for a cure!