Emily Newins
My Story
The truth is being one of my grandads carer’s has not been an easy relationship He like most grandads has needed me to do the things most grandparents “can’t” do like, set up his new phone every time he got an upgrade, get the right Chanel on TV so he can watch countryfile, steal us some biscuits while mum wasn’t looking, read him the Sunday news paper to keep up with the outside world, but since I started driving 3 years ago this list grew, it began to include getting his shopping every week, making sure he had all the necessities, doing his washing, checking in on him most days after work or after the stables to make sure he has everything, and taking him to doctors again and again.
Since he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2021. Myself and my mum have struggled as his primary and only carers because he couldn’t trust anyone else, the disease meant although he doesn’t know my name most days he knows I am a safe person. This meant getting other carers to help us has been challenging as he doesn’t trust so easily.
My mum works 12 hour shift work and I work full time while doing my degree and travelling when I can, while also taking care of our horse who also needs us every day. It got too much we were both struggling to a point it wasn’t sustainable.
Thanks to the help of Age UK he now gets the help he needs and we also get the help and support we need. It has felt like a weight has been lifted.
I ran the London marathon in 2022 after gaining a ballot place, being a new runner I wasn’t sure if I would even finish and I didn’t have the time to train the way I do now. My first marathon I decided not to raise money for a charity until after I finished. Upon the completion I asked family and friends to donate directly to Alzheimer’s UK if they could but I regretted straight after that I didn’t have more self belief and missed the opportunity to help raise money for charities so close to my heart.
This year I will be running it again but this time as a charity runner for Age UK.
If you spare anything to support this amazing cause please donate to my official London marathon enthuse account - Supporting the elderly and future generations 🤍
Now more than ever it's so important that no one feels alone. As friends move away and time goes on we find ourself more and more alone. Age UK helps those older in life to never feel alone. The London Marathon has become an annual, inspiring and colourful fixture in the world’s sporting calendar since the inaugural race on 29 March 1981: a celebration of fun, fundraising and fancy dress.