Fundraising for Alzheimer’s Research UK
In 2020, Sharks Forces (the Armed Forces programme for Sharks Community Trust) staff and participants were introduced to Chris Graham; a British Army veteran who had served 23 years before his diagnosis.
Chris was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2010, at the age of just 34-years old. The father-of-three carries a rare familial gene, with the disease previously claiming the lives of his father, grandfather, auntie, cousin, and eldest brother.
Over past years, Chris has undertaken numerous fundraising challenges to raise awareness of dementia, including a 16,000-mile bike ride around the coast of Canada and America in 2015 raising more than £50,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK, and cycling the length of Great Britain solo in 2017. He went on to win a Pride of Sport award for his heroic efforts and was made a Champion of Alzheimer’s Research UK in recognition of his incredible fundraising efforts.
Every 3 minutes, somebody develops dementia and Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity, dedicated to making life-changing breakthroughs in diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and cure.
Dementia has had a profound impact on Chris and his families’ lives, but since meeting him, he has had a profound impact on ours.
Chris has and continues to inspire every individual that has had the greatest pleasure of crossing paths with him. He lives an active and independent lifestyle, paving the way for others to see how he tackles the condition head on.
We are embarking on a 35-mile biathlon from Liverpool to Manchester on Friday 8th July to raise money and awareness toward supporting the search for breakthrough dementia treatment.
Sharks Forces staff and beneficiaries will be joined by Chris, his family and friends to walk and cycle from our Liverpool Veterans’ hub to our Manchester Veterans’ hub to continue inspiring those that face their own personal challenges to do it with a smile on their face like Chris.
“You can’t be down around Chris. He is always laughing and joking and is a glass half full person. If you don’t smile around Chris then you will never smile at all.” – Chris’ sister, Lizzie Williams.
It is a long road to walk, and if anybody that Chris knew was walking it, he would be there walking it with them.
Join us on Friday 8th July as we walk (and cycle) with him.
On behalf of Alzheimer’s Research UK, Chris, his family and friends, and Sharks Community Trust, thank you for your support.
Just giving donation page – Sharks Community Trust – JustGiving
