A MAN who aimed to take on the 100km Peak District challenge to raise funds in tribute to his girlfriend’s grandad, who has dementia, was forced to pull out three quarters of the way through due to medical reasons.

Tom Pinder, from Norton, took part in the Alzheimer’s Society Challenge Event last month with the aim of covering the distance in about 30 hours.

The 24-year-old said: “I didn’t know her Grandad Eric prior to him losing his memory, but the stories that are shared by the family are that he is a wonderful human being who enjoyed all aspects of his life.

“The Peak District challenge was brutal. I settled into a steady pace in the first 40km or so, but it was around this point that I started to get some pain in my shins and received medical attention from the great team that the organisers provided.

“I battled on until the pain in my shins became unbearable, and at that point I knew that I could do some serious damage to my health and well-being if I carried on.”

Tom’s girlfriend, Georgia said: “My grandad is someone that I have always looked up to due to his kind and lovely nature. Before he was diagnosed with dementia, he was a keen sportsman, captaining local cricket teams in the Scarborough district.”

Chloe Beevers, from Alzheimer’s Society Fundraising Challenge team, said: “The funds raised by our fantastic supporters like Tom help us to make a real difference for people affected by dementia.”

Tom has raised about £700 for the Alzheimer’s Society. You can still donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/tom-pinder-alzheimers