April 2, 2024
For the past 6 years my very special Nan, Shirley has been suffering from vascular dementia. Seeing her struggle with the disease has been heartbreaking.
I have always been close to her and she subsequently came to live with my family. Watching the personality of a person you love dearly completely change is very hard as they are still the person you know deep down. Dementia is the UK’s biggest health and social care crisis and 1 in 3 people born in the UK today will be diagnosed with dementia in their lifetime. As a result, I felt compelled to do something to honour her and raise awareness. I decided I would sign up for the London Marathon to raise money and have chosen to run for Alzheimer’s Society. It would be great to think one day someone out there could find a cure for this awful disease.
I only started running in September 2023 and could barely run down the end of the road without feeling out of breath. But I was determined to not give up. So, I turned to the NHS’s Couch to 5k program, and it was a game-changer. Week by week, I pushed myself, gradually building up my stamina and endurance.
Fast forward 10 weeks and I was signing up to 10km races and running half marathon distances. It was an incredible feeling of accomplishment, knowing how far I’d come in such a short amount of time. And I didn’t stop there. I kept pushing myself, setting new goals and challenging myself to go further. One of the highlights of my journey was joining a local running club with my fellow clerk, Abbi Bradshaw. After a busy day in the office, it feels good to be able to clear our heads and go for a run. And through it all, I’ve found strength, resilience, and a sense of purpose. Sometimes I listen to podcasts to keep me entertained, but other times, I prefer to run in silence, clearing my head. Running has become my therapy.
As I lace up my running shoes and get ready to conquer 26 miles of London, I know that every step I take is a tribute to my Nan.
I know it’s going to be tough for me physically and mentally but I am SO ready for this challenge.
Find out more here: [Alzheimers Society]
All Donations welcome: [Just Giving]