I'm spending 2023 walking and drawing my way along the southwest coast path in order to raise money for Dementia UK, whose Admiral Nurses provided my mother and I with such support.

Not long after my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers, she and I decided together that she would come and live close to us. Unfortunately, Nancy (my mum) couldn't hold this information from day to day, which was really distressing for both of us. Trying to sell her house or even arrange the smallest detail became hugely stressful, so it was such a relief when I discovered the Admiral Nurse Helpline. They guided me through many transition phases over the next few years, including, eventually, the tough decision to move my mum into a care home..

I thought my need for for the Helpline would come to an end at that point, but then the home failed, catastrophically, to offer my mother the support and care that she needed. It was a truly awful situation and the Admiral Nurse helpline was really the only place that could provide me with the understanding and support that I needed. Then, when the home, cruelly, evicted my mum, it was an Admiral Nurse, Linda, who went to visit Nancy and saw her for the frightened, vulnerable and lovely person that she was. Linda understood immediately the type of care my mother required, and assured me that the home where she worked would be able to provide it. She was true to her word.

Admiral Nurses provide life-changing care for families affected by all forms of dementia – including Alzheimer’s disease. They have the time to listen and the knowledge to solve problems. As dementia specialists, Admiral Nurses help families, like mine, manage complex needs – considering the person living with dementia and the people around them – and they can advise other healthcare professionals. They were literally a lifeline for me.

When people are struggling, the nurses help them take back control. They help people living with dementia to stay independent for longer, and support the people caring for them so they have the strength to cope with the bad days, and the energy to enjoy the good days.

A few months later, when my mother was fading away, LInda was at hand to offer compassion and information to us all, including my daughter when she came to say her goodbyes to her Nanna. Then, after Nancy died, Linda sat with me in quiet support. She even went to fetch scissors to trim a lock of my mother's hair, for me to keep. I will never forget that kindness, and hope I can raise as much money as possible to ensure that other people impacted by dementia can also benefit from these wonderful Nurses. If you feel you can help with a donation, I (and Dementia UK) would be hugely grateful.