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Southport woman facing
world's biggest obstacle course race for Alzheimer's Research UK
ALEX Ferguson is undertaking a gruelling challenge this
May at the daunting Rat Race Dirty Weekend on behalf of Alzheimer's Research
UK.
After losing her Nan to Alzheimer's last year, Alex is determined to raise
as much as she can for the UK's leading dementia research charity while
taking on a personal challenge at the same time.
The daring woman from Banks, Southport, will be tackling the biggest
obstacle course race in the world, which includes overcoming 200 obstacles
over 20 miles. When she's not managing her transport company, Freight
Negotiate, Alex is a keen runner. However, she's never attempted anything of
this scale and is training hard to prepare herself.
Alex's inspiration is her Nan, Alma Ferguson, who died with dementia in
December 2015 at the age of 78. Alma, who grew up in Liverpool, was a
familiar face in her community, in Ormskirk, Lancashire.
Alma was a very independent woman who enjoyed walking and gardening.
However, as her Alzheimer's gradually worsened, her memory, speech and
ability to do simple tasks were affected. This eventually made her daily
routine near impossible to complete without the help and assistance of close
family members, her daughter Ellen being her main carer.
Alex said:- "My Nan was 1 of the kindest, least selfish people I've
ever known. I would visit her frequently when she developed Alzheimer's, but
she was visibly worse each time and it was very hard. It doesn't just affect
the person with the condition, but also everyone around them until their
lives become consumed from trying to help. We felt completely lost when she
passed. Research into dementia is critical, because there's currently no
cure. That's why I chose to support Alzheimer's Research UK."
The 24 year old aims to raise £10,000 for the charity and is already well on
the way to her target.
Hannah Reynolds, Community Fundraising Executive at Alzheimer's Research UK,
said:- "Many people think that dementia is a normal part of ageing,
but it's not; it's caused by brain diseases. 1 in 3 people over 65 will die
with some form of dementia and the only way to beat the condition is through
research. We're so grateful to Alex for undertaking this amazing challenge
for Alzheimer's Research UK. The money raised will go towards pioneering
research into diagnosis, prevention and treatments for dementia so we can
help people like Alma."
To sponsor Alex, visit:-
JustGiving.Com/AlmasGirl
or text:- 'AMLA78' then your amount (e.g. £5) to 70070.
For further
information about Alzheimer's Research UK, or to find out more about
fundraising for the charity, call:- 0300 111 5555 or visit:-
AlzheimersResearchUK.Org. |
