In a few weeks time on Sunday 27th April, Sophie Smith, George Smith, Luke Johnson and Mark Johnson are all running the Manchester Marathon together to raise money for Dementia UK.

On 1st October 2024, Ken Johnson, aka Grandad and Dad, friend and mentor, passed away having lived a wonderful life, having seen the world and met all manner of people, having worked for the betterment of himself and of his family. We are all better people for having had him on side.

He achieved greatly and made his time count. But in the end he hardly could remember all of his own many achievements. And whilst he was not someone who indulged in self congratulatory self reflection, dementia robbed him of the chance to fondly reflect on his life with an entitled proud smile before he passed.

In many ways Ken was “lucky”. He still knew who his family was and he had his privacy and his dignity in the sanctuary of home. The very worst excesses of dementia did not consume him. Ken was still Ken. Husband, Father, Grandad. He was still there. And he knew we were all still there.

But we all saw enough. And we all learnt a little more about what life must be like for so many people with dementia and their families. And we had the uncomfortable realisation that, as bad as it was, some families have it so much worse. The illness is cruel and a families ability to fight the good fight for their suffering relative can be overwhelming and never ending.

Dementia UK is the specialist dementia nurse charity. Their nurses, called Admiral Nurses, provide life-changing care for families affected by all forms of dementia. By supporting this charity, you can help us grow the number of specialist dementia nurses, giving more families a lifeline.

Ken Johnson believed in doing what he thought was right. That was his compass. Our little run around Manchester is our way of keeping the spirit alive in his tribe and doing something right.

So if you can, please sponsor us a little and we will pound the tarmac and finish strong!