13th October 2026
A Thame audiologist has completed the Oxford Half Marathon to raise money for Alzheimer's Society, with many of the donations generously coming from the patients she looks after.
Hollie Wicks, who works at House of Hearing Thame, ran the 13.1-mile course through Oxford on Sunday 11 October in two hours, 11 minutes and 44 seconds. She has raised more than £1,700 so far, £700 above her original target, and donations are still coming in.
The cause is close to Hollie's heart, both as an audiologist and as a young woman with hearing loss herself. According to Alzheimer's Society*, people who develop untreated hearing problems in midlife, between the ages of 40 and 65, may be at greater risk of developing dementia. The charity says people with mild hearing loss are nearly twice as likely to develop dementia as those without, rising to three times as likely with moderate hearing loss and almost five times with severe hearing loss.
Hollie said: "I want to thank everyone who has supported me and donated to Alzheimer's Society, especially my wonderful patients and the team at House of Hearing. Knowing how many of them were behind me is what kept me going past the 10-mile mark.
"I'll admit I was curious about how my hearing aids would cope with 13 miles of running, sweat and crowd noise, but they were brilliant. My name was printed on my race bib, so I could hear complete strangers shouting it and cheering me on the whole way round. That kind of support really carries you.
"Having hearing loss myself, I know how much it can affect your confidence and how connected you feel to the people around you. That's why I'm so passionate about encouraging people to look after their hearing health, and why this cause means so much to me."
The charity explains that one reason untreated hearing loss may increase the risk of dementia is that people with hearing problems are more likely to withdraw from social situations and become isolated, and social isolation is itself a risk factor for dementia. Hearing loss may also force the parts of the brain that process sound and speech to work harder, which could affect memory and thinking over time. However, the charity stresses that having hearing loss does not mean someone will definitely develop dementia.
Stephen Shipperley, one of Hollie's patients at House of Hearing Thame, commented: "Hollie is not only a breath of fresh air, she also provides a great service to the Thame community. Our family has been touched by Alzheimer's, so supporting Hollie and the charity was an easy decision."
Peter Sydserff, Clinical Director at House of Hearing, added: "We're incredibly proud of Hollie. As well as raising vital funds, she's started a much bigger conversation about hearing health and dementia across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. We hope it encourages more people to book a hearing test and take their hearing health seriously."
Anyone who would like to support Hollie can donate to Alzheimer's Society at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/br-9KUKVH3ZNX6H-charity-entry-oxford-half-2026
