We are raising money for Dementia UK over the next few months in a series of fundraising events culminating in a 30-mile walk along the North Norfolk Coast, setting off from Stiffkey and ending up in Hunstanton!

Several of us have or have had family members living with Dementia and would like to help raise funds for Dementia UK.

Every 3 minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia – its one of the biggest health challenges of our time. Today there are around 944,000 people living with dementia, (including 70,800 living with young onset dementia, where symptoms develop under the age of 65).

For thousands of families, living with dementia can mean fear and confusion, not only for the person with dementia, but also for the people caring for them and their wider family and friends. Every day and every moment can throw up new and complex challenges; trying to support someone with dementia can be exhausting and overwhelming. It is easy for family carers to become isolated as they put their own lives on hold to take on a role that can push them to breaking point.

But there is a lifeline. Dementia UK is the specialist dementia nursing charity that is there for the whole family, working towards a day where no one has to face dementia alone. Their specialist nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide life-changing advice and support, to anyone affected by dementia, whenever it is needed.

Right now, there are only around 400 Admiral Nurses to support them and their families. Compared to many of the most serious health conditions, specialist follow-up support for dementia is hard to get because it barely exists. This is a huge and growing crisis that needs urgent attention.

We need more specialist Admiral Nurses and we need better understanding and awareness of the reality of dementia. As the only UK-wide charity dedicated to specialist dementia nursing, they want every family to know they will be there to support them – for as long as they need.