When we decided that we were going to make this trip, we also decided we wanted to try and make it about more than the just pure self-indulgence (I write that not for a moment trying to suggest that was not the primary motivator!). But we wanted to try and do something positive as well, so we chose to try and raise a little money along the way for Alzheimer’s research.

Why Alzheimer’s

There is no America/Pop Idol backstory, to play with emotive music here. The truth is that neither Dione or I have been closely affected by this terrible disease. Yet. But the numbers suggest yet, is the appropriate term.

Our exposure to ALZ has largely been via friends, and friends of friends. Told about loved ones and family members. What has struck us about Alzheimer’s is the cruelty of it. The extent to which it takes from people the things that they cherish most, slowly, methodically, relentlessly. It is a disease that can and will take from you the person you love, long before it inevitably takes them from you physically.

And the numbers are staggering. As matters stand in the US 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 will die of Alzheimers or related dementia illness. And this statistic is only heading in one direction.

Add to this that of the 10 most prevalent terminal illness’, Alzheimer’s is the only one that cannot be either cured, prevented of even slowed. Somehow in world where brilliant people do brilliant things, this feels like a scenario for which a breakthrough should not be out of the question; one that could be changed with enough resource.

There were and are so many worthwhile causes we could have chosen to support. We chose this one.

If you would like to support us in our fund raising effort you can do so through our Charity Page. Any funds raised go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association. It is a well-worn line but genuinely any donation, how ever small (the price of a coffee?) will be appreciated.

Tim, 22nd May 2015