A SOLIHULL woman is set to embark on 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, will team up with her friend Sally Whitehouse-Fox to take on the 25km mission on July 13 in the hope she can raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society – a charity dedicated to finding a cure for the illness.
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 she says her ‘heart breaks daily’ because she cannot do anything more to help him.
She said: “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.
“My dad is in a very good care home as unfortunately he needs so much more care than we as a family can offer.
“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.”
Ms Jones has also arranged a family fun day at Cheswick Green Village Hall on Sunday, June 30, to raise more funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
There will be fun for all the family, she says, with drinks and snacks as well as a professional auction and a chance to win prizes including football memorabilia and weekends away.
Ms Jones hopes she can raise more than £1,500 over the two events.
For more information go to Verity Jones’ JustGiving page.
