In October last year my nana sadly lost her long battle with vascular dementia. since being diagnosed in early February 2012, Throughout the years she had battled several strokes on top of her diabetes which was uncontrollable at certain times. there was several times over the years where she would get progressively worse then within days be back smiling away. Going back prior to 2012 myself and my family would take her on holiday every year to all sorts of places across the uk and thats when we realised something is not quite right as she would forget the little things which then turned into bigger things. slowly her mind faded backwards as she would tell us stories of her childhood as if they were happening in the present day, eventually these stories stopped and turned into blank expressions.

The last few years of her life was tough seeing someone you care about so much looking straight trough you like a ghost, she then stopped talking altogether her only actions were cuddling the stuffed toys that the family gave to her over the years because her love for animals. All the nurses and staff at the home where she was were truly inspirational as they would sit with her and show her all the pictures of the whole family, they even gave her the nickname "Smiler" as she would brighten there day with one smile. Ive always said this disease takes your loved one away two times, Once in the way of watching all her fantastic memories disappear, and then again on there passing, but I can honestly say she will always live on in the whole families heart and the memories we had together will be as strong as she was through her years.

this leads me onto present day I want to show how much everyone appreciates the people that dedicate there careers to helping our loved ones through the toughest times. I have decided to take on the challenge of driving over 3,000km in a run down car costing only £200 from Harrogate across Europe to hopefully arrive at the final destination in Benidorm to raise as much money as possible for the Alzheimers Society as the support they give those people who help so many of our loved ones live there final years as happy as they could possibly be. and that I can take my nana on one last holiday.

I will be self funding this trip so all money raised will go straight to the Alzheimers society. so they can carry on providing the fantastic support they do to so many homes and there staff.

Please dig deep no matter the donation large or small every penny count.

Thank you

Simon :)