Man with dementia runs Virgin Money London Marathon alongside support runner

'Running has given me a purpose. I feel in control again and I’m not going to let dementia win.'

Harry, from Manchester, is running to raise awareness of dementia and fund dementia research to help other people like him.

Previously fit and healthy, his dementia diagnosis in 2015 came as a real shock, and he initially struggled with depression. But Harry says that running has given him a new purpose and has slowly helped him come to terms with his situation. 

Harry will be running alongside his support runner and newfound friend Leanne, who has kept him motivated through training, and will also receive a medal. Harry is hoping to raise £100 for the Dementia Revolution and is asking the public to help him reach his target.

Harry says:

'When I first found out about my dementia diagnosis, I found it really difficult to accept. I was fit and healthy and so I didn’t see it coming.

'I struggled with depression and kept thinking, “why me?” I felt like I was in a vacuum of not knowing where to go, or who to go to for help. My life changed unexpectedly and it was a lot to deal with.

'But running gave me a purpose, and it’s really helped me to focus.  It’s taken a long time, but it’s helped me feel like I’m coming out the other side and that there’s nothing stopping me.

'I’m having to take slower steps in training and build up more gradually than when I ran previously, but running is giving me freedom. I feel in control again and I’m not going to let dementia win.

'I’ve joined the Dementia Revolution because I want to help the 850,000 other people like me who are living with dementia in the UK.

'By taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon for the Dementia Revolution, I’m taking a stand against dementia and I’m helping to making a difference. That is really special.'
 
Harry joins a wider team of Revolutionaries running for the Dementia Revolution, each bringing different experiences of dementia. These include Carli Pirie, and her cousins Jack and Tom Bradshaw, whose family carries an inherited gene for Alzheimer’s disease meaning they each carry a 50% chance of developing the disease in their 50s, Dr Amanda Heslegrave, a dementia researcher at the UK DRI, and entrepreneur and 2014 Apprentice winner Mark Wright, whose grandfather recently passed away from dementia.

Also running are ‘Barbara’s Revolutionaries’: EastEnders colleagues of screen icon Dame Barbara Windsor, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014, running in her name alongside her husband Scott Mitchell.

Historically, dementia research has been chronically underfunded – only 0.3% of the total cost of the condition (£26 billion) goes towards research, about a fifth of what is spent on cancer research, for example.

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said: 

'Life doesn’t end when dementia begins and Harry is a shining example of that. We commend him for sharing his inspirational story so openly and wish him the best of luck for 28 April.

'We are so proud to be the official Charity of the Year for the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon. Harry forms part of our largest ever team of runners, all raising funds to power breakthroughs at the UK Dementia Research Institute, ensuring better care, and ultimately a cure, for the 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today.

'We can’t thank our runners enough for taking a stand with us to make a real difference to the lives of those affected by dementia.' 

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

'Running a marathon is a huge challenge for anyone but Harry has already taken on one of the biggest challenges of his life - dementia.

'A diagnosis of dementia can be an isolating experience, so it’s really special that the marathon has provided Harry with a way to cope with his condition as well as an opportunity to form new friendships through meeting his guide runner Leanne.

'We’re sure the moment the medals go around both of their necks will be an emotional one and we hope that the British public get behind Harry, show their support for his brave efforts and help power pioneering research to change lives in the future.”

Visit Harry's sponsorship page.