When Dementia UK was announced as Access' UK charity of the year, it was a no brainer for me to get involved and do something to raise money for this amazing charity and the people it supports. It has now become a deeply personal challenge as we lost our Dad in August, mostly due to complications with dementia. In many ways, we lost Harry to dementia far earlier, though even at the end there were still glimpses of him - mostly flirting with the nurses and multiple requests for wine, beer or whisky!

I've never been a fan of walking for fun and I originally applied to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone - but now I'll be walking in memory of our Dad, and in support of all families who have experience of this terrible condition. So, we're walking the final 66km of the Camino Frances "The French Way" from Palas de Rei to Santiago de Compostela - whilst it's not the most challenging route, it is in June so likely to be challenging temperatures. I’m told that eating and hydrating will be key to survival on a walk such as this - luckily we're in a part of Spain that excels in this area and completing this walk with a glass of wine in one hand and a lump of cheese in the other feels like a fitting tribute to the great man himself.

Every penny you give will go to Dementia UK to help support the nearly one million people in the UK who are living with dementia. One in two of us will be affected by it in our lifetime – whether by caring for someone with the diagnosis, developing it ourselves, or both. It’s the biggest health and social challenge of our time. Dementia UK's Admiral Nurses, provide expert, compassionate advice and support to anyone affected by dementia, whenever it is needed.

Both the smallest and most generous donations are very welcome - Access will double all donations meaning that every gift goes twice as far, doubling the impact and help for Dementia UK

Thank you!
Nick Bowden