Helen's 26 Mile Trek for Alzheimer’s

In 2018 I lost my grandma to a 9 year long battle with Dementia. So in 2019 I took on the challenge of climbing the tallest free-standing mountain in the world Mount Kilimanjaro in her memory. It was an incredible experience and I know that the walking over 50 hours across 7 days I made it to the top because I wouldn't let myself fail for her. Since then, another two family members have passed with the illness, others have been diagnosed and living with the struggle each day.

On 2nd July I will be taking on another challenge to continue to raise awareness for Dementia. I will be trekking 26 miles in 9 hours across Brecon Beacons enduring very steep climbs and descents, a mixtures of terrains and scrambling down rocky slopes. This is known as a "very tough challenge" and Brecon Beacons is the chosen testing ground for one of the most revered fighting forces in the world - the Special Air Service (SAS).

I will begin at 6:30am, commencing the climb up to Fan Y Big a height of

717metres and have set myself an even tougher challenge of doing it in a 9 hour time bracket.

Dementia is a heartbreaking illness that nobody deserves. It's one that makes you see your loved one decline rapidly, loosing their memory, their mobility and other simple skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. It affects their ability to speak, think, feel and changes behaviour. Currently there is no cure for dementia. However, if it is diagnosed in the early stages, there are drugs available which help to slow down the decline.

1 in 14 people over 65 will develop dementia

&

1 in 6 people over 80.

Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain – ultimately damaging the nerves cells preventing the brain to function normally.

There are over 200 subtypes and causes of dementia – 4 most common:

- Alzheimers

- Vascular

- Frontotemporal

- Dementia with Lewy bodies

I'm raising money for Alzheimer's Society (United Against Dementia), and any donation will help make an impact. Alzheimer's Society commits itself to maintaining, improving and promoting its unique knowledge and understanding of dementia.

Any donation will help make an impact on this terrible illness.

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me and my family.