On 27th April 2025, I’ll be taking on the challenge of running the London Marathon for the very first time. It’s a huge personal goal—one that’s taken months of training and determination—but I’m proud to be running every mile in support of Alzheimer’s Society and my mother in law Rose.

Alzheimer’s Society is a charity that means a great deal to me personally. Over the past nine years, I’ve seen the devastating impact that dementia can have on a family. My mother-in-law, Rose, was diagnosed with dementia only a few years after she retired from her job as a nurse in 2010 — a career she gave so much to.

It’s heartbreaking to see how the disease has gradually taken her memories, her independence, and a part of who she is.She should be spending these years enjoying her retirement, travelling, and living life to the fullest. But instead, dementia has slowly taken that freedom and joy away from her.

Rose is still only 74. She’s active and physically well - She still enjoys going out, walking, and staying active—but her memory fades faster than we ever imagined. Conversations are forgotten almost as soon as they happen, familiar faces sometimes feel unfamiliar, and the confident, sharp woman we all love now often feels confused and unsure.

In 2024, we had to make the incredibly difficult decision to move Rose into a care home. Taking her out of her own home — the place she felt most safe and comfortable — it was heartbreaking. Every step of this journey brings more painful decisions, more change, and more grief.

Dementia is an incredibly cruel disease—not just for the person living with it, but for everyone who loves them. There’s a deep sense of helplessness, and a grief that starts long before any goodbye.

That’s why I’m running this marathon. To raise funds for research, support services, and a future where families like ours don’t have to face this journey alone.

Any donation, big or small, will mean the world to me—and will help Alzheimer’s Society continue their vital work.

Thank you so much for your support.