Climbing Snowdon to battle Dementia

An Exeter man is set to join a determined group of fund-raisers who are planning a midnight trek to the peak of Mount Snowdon to raise funds to help find a cure for dementia.

Stoke Canon resident Andrew Harris’ mum Jackie was diagnosed with vascular dementia three years ago and is cared for on a day to day basis by her 84 year-old husband Douglas.

37-year-old Andrew, who works in the IT department at Gregory Distribution, said: “My sister, Melissa and I help out at any opportunity.  Although diagnosis and treatment are available there is no cure, yet. We have found it extremely difficult to get help for dad to look after mum. More funding would improve home help services and of course progress a cure for this upsetting disease.

“Mum’s diagnosis wasn’t early enough for treatment to have much effect.  I’m joining the Snowdon Midnight Challenge for the Alzheimer’s Society to raise awareness and to potentially help people get the correct diagnosis sooner and to receive the post-diagnosis help which is so badly needed. 1 in 3 people with dementia will die from it”

Andrew has been in training for the event, which aims to get the climbers to the top of Snowdon at midnight on May 15th, by taking long 10 mile+ walks on Dartmoor, often at night, early morning runs and cycling. 

His aim is to raise at least £400 for the cause and he has set up a Just Giving appeal page at https://www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Harris1977 where you can make a secure donation for a very worthwhile cause.