Hi, my name is Zach, I’m 18 and I live in Weston.

I’m raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, a cause that means the world to me.

I lost my grandad to Alzheimer’s, and watching him slowly drift away was heartbreaking. He was a huge role model in my life — smart, kind, and full of personality. He loved football, supporting Leicester City, puzzles, crosswords, and nothing made him happier than a plate of shepherd’s pie. Seeing the man I looked up to change so drastically was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through.

Now, 3 year's on, I work for the NHS in elderly care, and every day I see how Alzheimer’s continues to affect our elderly loved ones. It’s not just memory loss — it’s confusion, fear, and the gradual loss of the person you knew. It impacts families in ways you can’t fully understand until you’ve lived it.

To help raise funds and awareness, I’ve signed up to take on Tough Mudder — a demanding obstacle course known for its mud, teamwork, and extreme physical and mental challenges. It’s not going to be easy, but that’s the point. I want to push myself to honour my grandad’s memory and to support those still fighting this disease every day.

Every donation goes toward life-changing research: funding scientists who are working to find preventions, treatments, and one day, a cure. Anything you can give — big or small — makes a real difference.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and support this cause. It truly means everything to me.

More information about Alzheimer’s Research UK:

Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity. As research experts, we fund world-class pioneering scientists to find preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia.