My Story

I can't actually believe this opportunity has come around again, sadly the one we was doing for Willow Wood Hospice was cancelled due to covid.

Which is why we are extremely grateful to be able to help raise funds for Alzheimer's.

Our beloved Katie has been diagnosed recently and is bravely battling on each day.

In February Antoinette and I will trek across the Sahara covering approx' 100 miles in blistering heat, whilst sleeping in tents each evening.

Are we ready? No!

Are we determined to complete it - YES 100%

So please help us raise much needed funds.

Thank you for reading and supporting such a wonderful cause.

Update: 26th April 24. sadly Katie gained her wings on Saturday 6th April, she passed peaceful and completely unaware. 

Update: 1st September 24. Volunteering reflection - twice in the last month I have volunteered for Alzheimer's, once for the Walk for a Cure at Stanley Park and today for the Memory Walk at Aintree in Liverpool.

Neither venue round the corner from home, both early starts on a Sunday morning, both dodging the Great British weather, but what was and will remain so -  - is that at both venue's had an amazing turn out of walkers of all ages, from babies to grandparents, generations of family & friends coming together to remember their loved ones who have passed, everyone wearing pictures or just simply their names in print.

Dementia effects us all, the stats are almost equal to Cancer, the TV adverts, say it has it is, our loved ones die over and over again, we have to find a cure, we have to find a way to spot the signs earlier, we have to find a way to help our loved ones.

Each time I've come away heartbroken again, families walking with their loved ones who basically have no idea who they are or where they are or doing.

Please help us raise as much as we possibly can, to help those who need us during this difficult time in their lives.

Below is a little bit about what we'll be doing on the trek.

Training is now officially under way, keep following our progress either on here or on facebook Suzy is on a mission :-)

Thank you for reading

Much love

Suzanne xx

UPDATE  - 20th October 

Well this last few week's have been full of mixed emotions, it was Katie's birthday on Monday 14th October but also her brother's has she was a twin, her brother being my hubby. 

It was difficult to say the least, no cards to write, no gifts to buy or calls to make.

I did the best I could to ensure Shaun's birthday was a celebration as well as reflecting on past birthdays they shared together as children.

Thanks for your continued support 

Lots of love Suzanne xx

Update 22nd December 

No idea where the time has gone, it's just 2months till we fly out to embark on the trek. Training was going great till I got knocked out with a chest infection but I won't let it stop me in my tracks completely. Onwards is the only way forward.

It's going to be another first this Christmas without Katie being here. She loved it so much, she'd sit for hours with her new colouring books and felt tips, a gift we knew she'd appreciate and get lot's from it, that and a CD from Cliff Richard or Westlife. Thinking about that makes me smile.

It's the small thing's that remind you of our loved one's that are no longer here.

One thing I've learned is to live for today but create unforgettable memories too and get those photo's printed, get them in a book, write what who and when alongside the pictures so you can talk about it and remember the details.

Sending you love and best wishes, thank you for your continued support, much love Suzanne xx

Update 28th December 

Well what can I say 🤷 I sometimes wonder what I let myself in for, but here goes!

Not satisfied clearly with trekking across the Sahara for Alzheimer's for a week when I get back on the 28th February I'll have a week to recover before a run the Chester 10k race on the 9th March!

To then put my feet up would be absurd. I mean, why would I, so on Sunday 18th May I'll run the Chester 1/2 marathon followed by the Chester marathon on Sunday 5th October.

I'll continue my fundraising for Alzheimer's Society throughout the year as the work they do is incredible and the waiting list for more people to receive help is getting longer.

Alzheimer's is one of the UKs top killer's and like cancer it isn't selective on who it takes down.

Training is back in full swing from New Years day.

Keep following my progress on here, Facebook or Strava.

Thanks for following my journey, for Katie, Dora, Gordon and everyone living with this cruel illness xx

UPDATE 1st January 2025.

Up and out this morning to do parkrun over at Errdig, a 45 minute drive away, what I wasn't expecting was two calls to say two incredible men had passed away this morning. One my Uncle Paul, who's been in my life for as long as I can remember, the other my iggle sisters father in law Gordon, both had dementia along with few other bits not working correctly anymore. I was determined to complete the run and counted every step round the course. They was with me in spirit as I thought about the memories we've made over the year's. Both leave massive gaps in everyone's life. Hold tight to those you hold dear, create lasting memories for everyone.

Sending you all love and best wishes for the year ahead. Thank you for your continued support xxx

UPDATE 22ND FEBRUARY 

Well what can I say except, at this very moment in time, I'm stood next to a phone charging point, on Casablanca airports wifi waìting for our connecting flight to Ouarzazate, sadly its delayed but hey, thats okay, we're almost there.

When we do reach tonights hotel we'll be up and having breakfast for 7am, safari jeeps loading for 9am and off on a 5hr drive to the starting point. 

The plan is to then trek till as late as we can before setting up camp for the night.

Then the hard work startes up and out each morning to trek for the day.

I'm so grateful for your continued support and donations, I am truly blessed to have such wonderful support from some people I've only known a matter of weeks all the way to life long friends.

Love you all.

See you on the other side xxx 

UPDATE SUNDAY 16TH MARCH:

What a few weeks, the trek was everything and then some. A lifetime opportunity that I don't think could ever be repeated.

Then, as I should have been resting, I go and run Chester 10k with zero training. I was determined to complete it and I did in an hour 18min 

Super chuffed now to start training for the half marathon in May.

Challenges ahead.

5k foambubble dash - April 

Snowdon Sunrise climb - May

Chester 1/2 Marathon - May

Snowdonia 26mile trek - June

Chester Marathon - October 

Thanks everyone for your ongoing support and donations 

I'm truly grateful 

Love Suzanne xx 

UPDATE 26TH MAY

Happy Bank Holiday everyone 😀 

Been a while since I last updated this page.

Befo e I even get started I am forever grateful to everyone for their continued support and donations.

Latest football card and lottery raffle have been paid in. 

I'm not expecting donation to continue to drip in now, everyone has been wonderful.

I've now completed the Foamtastic bubble dash, Snowdon Sunrise climb amd the Chester half marathon last weekend.

I've had a look at my training plan and have made the decision not to do the Snowdonia 26mile trek in June. I don't want to risk injury as my final event/challenge is the Chester marathon in 19weeks time. 5th October. 

I know I can walk/hike that distance but I need to run it, I've set myself a time of 6hrs but I'm hoping to be closer to 5.30hrs. 

Training started this morning, I will continue to combine circuit strength training, swimming and of course running. 

Keep following me on here, Facebook or Strava for updates

It seems like yesterday since we left for the trek, no doubt October will be here very quickly too.

Take care of you

Love Suzanne xx