The Alzheimer’s Society is running a Cycle for Dementia campaign, challenging participants to cycle 100 or more miles, indoors or outdoors, to raise funds for dementia care. The Society does fantastic work to help fund the cost of care for dementia sufferers and to fund research into a disease that affects 850,000 in the UK and for which there is currently no cure. It can affect anybody of any age, not just the elderly. It’s estimated that 1.6 million people in the UK will suffer from this cruel disease by 2040.
Local resident Helen Johns has set herself the challenge to ride 100 miles on her exercise bike during May, trebling what she is used to doing. She said, ’I decided to do something to help others at a time when Covid-19 has gripped the nation and the vulnerable need our support more than ever. Amongst those are sufferers from dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. I am also motivated by the fact that my own father succumbed to this dreadful disease.’
Helen continued, ‘Care homes were hardest hit by Covid-19, and 70% of dementia sufferers are in care homes, underlining the need to support people at risk. Perhaps, as you read this, you will be reminded of people you know who either have the disease or who have been taken from us because of it.
‘This is the final week of the Cycle for Dementia Challenge and I’m hoping to beat my target of 100 miles. I’ve been bowled over by the fantastic donations made so far by all kinds of people. It would be fantastic if, with your help, we can beat the target of £1,000.’
You can support Helen’s Cycle for Dementia Challenge now by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cyclefordementia-hjohns and help raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. You can find out more about the work they do at https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.
