Teacher Emma Taylor to run Brighton Marathon to support Alzheimer’s Society (From York Press)

Teacher Emma Taylor to run Brighton Marathon to support Alzheimer’s Society

9:37am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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A TEACHER from York who lost her grandmother to Alzheimer’s disease is limbering up for a charity run to raise funds for people affected by dementia.

Emma Taylor, 31, of Bishopthorpe Road, York, will run the Brighton Marathon next month in support of the Alzheimer’s Society, following the death of her grandmother from the disease.

Ms Taylor has been preparing for the challenge by running 25 to 30 miles a week, including training with York Acorn Running Club, and has taken part in a number of half marathons.

Having set an initial target of £500, she is counting on the support of students at both York College, where she teaches English as a foreign language, and York St John, where she works as a language support tutor.

She said: “When my grandmother passed away we requested donations for the society, so it is fitting to do this run for if.”

Simon Wallace, the Alzheimer’s Society’s community fundraiser for Yorkshire, outlined how the funds Ms Taylor raised would be used.

He said: “The money will be spent to help people with dementia or their carers in the local area.

“Dementia is a massive and growing problem. There are currently more than 700,000 people affected in the UK – a figure that is predicted to grow to more than one million in the next ten years.”

Dementia currently costs the UK £17 billion each year.

Anyone wishing to support Emma can donate at justgiving.com/emmataylor-1.