A SOLIHULL woman has raised £2,500 for charity after a daring trek through the Peak District in honour of her father who has reached the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Verity Jones, aged 40, teamed up with her friend Sally Whitehouse-Fox to take on the 25km mission on Saturday, July 13.
She managed to raise more than £2,650 for Alzheimer’s Society – a charity dedicated to finding a cure for the illness and Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia which creates memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language.
Ms Jones’ father Bryan Jones, aged 86, is reaching the end of his battle and Verity says her ‘heart breaks daily’ because she cannot do anything more to help him.
She held a successful auction in Cheswick Green, Solihull, which she says attracted a great turnout and many willing bidders.
She hired a professional auctioneer and offered people a chance to win prizes such as football memorabilia and weekends away.
She said: “All the hard work spent organising and arranging these fundraisers has paid off.
“Alzheimer’s is something so close to my heart as my dad, my hero, has suffered this disease for over 10 years, dad is now in the final stage.
“I’m so glad that I can help support Alzheimer’s Society try to find a cure, I don’t want families experiencing the pain that I do when I see my dad how he is now.
“Dad can’t talk now, I can’t remember the last conversation I had with him. He can’t walk, can’t eat or drink well, my dad can’t even move in his bed.
“My dad doesn’t know who I am anymore, he doesn’t know his sons – even his wife of over 45 years.
“We were so close growing up, he was my best friend and that’s been taken from his memory.
“I can’t help my dad anymore other than being there to hold his hand, but I can do everything possible to help find a cure by taking part and arranging fundraisers.
“This disease is just awful and I feel I’ve made a small difference.”
She and Sally finished the challenge in a little over five hours.
The pair are already talking about booking their next challenge for 2020, and whether they should take on a 50km trek this time.
For more information go to Verity Jones’ JustGiving page.
