Hi, my name is Noor and I am 26 years old. My father was diagnosed with Dementia in his 60s as the result of a brain aneurysm, and later with Alzheimer’s in his 70s. Watching someone you love slowly disappear mentally while remaining there physically is one of the hardest things to endure. The deterioration is quick. Conversations become fewer, their memories fade, and eventually they no longer remember who you are or how to function.

As his child, this has been incredibly painful to witness, and it continues to affect our whole family deeply. Sadly, we are not alone—Alzheimer’s and Dementia affect countless families across the UK. In fact, Alzheimer’s and Dementia has been the leading cause of death in the UK for over a decade (2012–2021) and remains the nation’s biggest killer in 2023 (WHO & ONS). Yet despite its devastating impact, there is still no cure, and even treatment options to slow the progression remain limited and inaccessible for many.

This World Alzheimer’s Day (27th September 2025), my friends and myself will be completing an 8-mile (12.9km) hike from Haslemere to Fernhurst in hopes of raising £1,500 for Alzheimer’s Research UK. Every donation, no matter the size, will help fund vital research that could one day change the future for families like mine.

Thank you all for your support!