Abigail Watling has spent years raising vital funds for Alzheimer's Society and has no plans to stop now.

Abigail, 35 and from Stroud, has taken on several challenges over the past few years to help raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

Her reasons for supporting the charity come from a place close to her heart, in memory of her beloved late grandad Jim.

Jim was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2015 and sadly passed away earlier this year.

Now, following on from Alzheimer's Society's Forget Me Not Appeal, Abigail wants to honour her grandad by raising money and awareness for the charity that supported her family throughout Jim’s diagnosis.

Abigail has previously completed two 100km ultra-walks to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society, with Jim watching and cheering her on.

Her latest event, the Cotswold Way 100km Challenge, was the first she has completed since Jim’s passing.

The route was particularly poignant for Abigail, as she walked through Hawkesbury Upton, the village where Jim spent most of his life.

Speaking about her efforts, Abigail said: “I’ve seen first-hand the challenges of living with Alzheimer’s.

“In the years following gramps’ diagnosis, we went through a challenging time as a family. We did everything we could to try and make things easier for him, but it was so hard to see him struggle.

“My grandad was such a special man – he was like the glue who held us all together as a family. He loved nothing more than having us all around and taught us to appreciate the simple things in life.

“When me and my husband were engaged, it was around the time we started to notice changes with gramps.

“We were set to go travelling that year and we ended up ensuring we were married before leaving, so that we could make sure he was still a big part of it as we didn’t know how well he would be when we got home.

“Throughout gramps’ diagnosis, it felt like we were constantly losing and grieving parts of him. It is such an emotional rollercoaster.

“I’m proud to be raising awareness for a cause so close to my heart, in tribute to gramps and everyone affected by dementia”.

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime. So far, Abigail has raised over £2,400 for Alzheimer’s Society and says she’s already considering her next challenge.

Alzheimer's Society regional fundraiser Zena Jones said: “Abigail is a wonderful advocate for Alzheimer’s Society and her attitude to raising awareness of dementia is amazing.

“Through every ultra-walk she’s taken part in and all her fundraising, she’s helping to make a life-changing difference to people living with dementia.

“Alzheimer’s Society provides vital support to people living with dementia, funds groundbreaking research and campaigns to make dementia the priority it should be.

“There are over 101,500 people living with dementia in the South West of England, but we simply can’t reach everyone without the continued support of our incredible fundraisers like Abigail. The support she gives us in memory of her grandad is inspiring”.

Alzheimer’s Society’s 2025 Forget Me Not Appeal aims to end the devastation caused by dementia.

People can donate and receive their own Forget Me Not badge to wear in support of people living with dementia at alzheimers.org.uk/forgetmenotappeal