On the 8th January 2021, my wife and I lost our beloved 4 year old labrador, Rocco, to Alabama Rot (Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy, CRGV). A disease that presents with skin lesions, can progress to the kidneys causing 85% of cases prove to be fatal. The most frustrating thing about the disease is that the cause is unknown. Making avoidance and treatment extremely difficult.

For us, before Rocco past way, Alabama Rot was something we had read about but very rarely heard of. What we had heard was stories of sadness. It meant that when we were told that Rocco almost certainly had Alabama Rot, our hearts sank, and the realisation that our story of sadness had already begun.

We took him to Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialist, who specialise in cases such as Rocco's. Unfortunately, after a couple of days they had tried everything yet he was still deteriorating and no longer eating or drinking and we had to say goodbye to our Big Guy.

The journey to Anderson Moores with Rocco, knowing what the outcome would probably be, was the hardest I've ever had to make. On the Anniversary of his passing I will complete that journey again. Starting on the 7th January 2022, I will run (and walk a lot) the 100+ from Aylesbeare (Devon) to Anderson Moores (Winchester).

I'm doing it in memory of Rocco and raising money in aid of Alabama Rot Research Fund, in the hope that maybe someone else doesn't have to make a similar journey. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Alabama Rot Research Fund: We are the Alabama Rot Research Fund (ARRF) and our aim is to Stop Alabama Rot.

Visit our website http://www.arrf.co.uk for more information.