Castle Douglas woman helping to Change Dementia step by step

Jan Campbell from Castle Douglas is preparing to take on her fifth marathon this year by signing up to the EMF Edinburgh Marathon this May, to help raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland, a charity which is close to her heart.

The mum of two, who is a keen runner, hopes to raise funds for the second time in her father’s honour who she uses as her main motivation to get up every day and train ahead of the big event. Diagnosed with dementia in 2014 when he was 71, Jan’s father now lives full time in a care home where the family visit him regularly.

The active 41-year-old pharmaceutical business manager, says: “My father was a real driving force in his prime and worked as a mechanical engineer his whole life. He could do anything at all, he was so smart and astute with intellect and practicality.

“He was also so loving and kind and would often tell me how proud he was of me often. His pet name for me as a girl was ‘Wee Lamb’. He was the best father I could have ever had and now his memories have been lost to the point that he often won’t know I’m his daughter when visiting the care home, which is devastating.

“I have so many fond memories growing up. He loved to be outdoors in the garden and grew vegetables in the garden and I would often help out washing and cooking them for dinner. We’ve got our own vegetable patch now and the kids want to plant potatoes because they hear the stories of when I was little and had to go to the garden to dig up the potatoes for dinner, then wait for them to boil, then we’d mash them together.

“Despite his decline over the past few years he still has his happy smile and his jolly nature which we’re all so grateful for. I wanted to give back this year, so I signed up again to raise funds for the charity in his honour and that’s what motivates me to go on. Every step really does count. 

Alzheimer Scotland’s Change Dementia fundraising campaign aims to help inspire the public to help change dementia during the national dementia charity’s 40th anniversary year, by signing up to an event, or by raising vital funds locally, to help support people living with dementia.

If you would like to support Jan as she takes on her next marathon donations can be made by clicking here.

Join #TeamAlzscot in 2020 and together we can Change Dementia. Whether you’re taking on the ultimate challenge in 2020, or looking for a fun way to fundraise, there is something for everyone to take part in. Visit Change Dementia at www.alzscot.org/changedementia for a full list of Alzheimer Scotland’s sponsored events or alternatively if you have your idea for a fundraising event our events fundraising team can support you, email [email protected].

Jan and her dad
Jan with her dad