Congratulations to Veronica Green-Jones on an excellent triathlon effort, taking place on June 1st and 2nd at Blenheim Palace for Dementia Cares Respite. She achieved an unbelievable 8 triathlons over the 2 days, with a total of 5,300m lake swimming, 146km of cycling and c.45km of running

We are delighted and grateful for her support and commitment – charities need more Veronicas!

Here is her account of how the exciting event panned out:

"I really enjoyed the challenge of the Weekend Warrior event and here is a little race report as requested - out of 124 Weekend Warrior competitors I was third overall of all men and women of any age and first female overall. The event ran for longer on the Saturday so I achieved 5 triathlons on that day with a total distance of 3,400m of lake swimming, 93km of cycling and c.29km of running before driving back to Buckinghamshire, putting my children to bed and another 4.50 am alarm call the next morning. On Sunday, the event only ran from 8.30am - 12.30pm, but I squeezed in a further 3 triathlons bringing the weekend total to 5,300m of lake swimming, 146km of cycling & c.45km of running (including the running I had to do between the races and the lake and the transition zone). This was the maximum possible for the weekend.

It might sound hellish to some, but believe it or not I find these types of events exhilarating (maybe not the early morning alarm!).

The run from the finish of one race to the start of the next is not included in the official total running distance, but you certainly feel it haha! I love running, but am struggling with sciatica after12km at the moment so had to dig quite deep to keep going for 33km of the running total. I look at my running splits and roll my eyes, but at least I didn't have to walk! Saturday was cold and windy and Sunday felt very hot. Each temperature has its advantages and disadvantages. Running is easier in the cool, but in a wet trisuit on a windy bike ride, we all felt frozen at times
on Saturday, I think!

The event was completely made by the beautiful grounds of Blenheim and my wonderful friends who lugged a rucksack around and ferried my race number, trainers and swimming things in and out of the transition zone so I could do triathlons back-to-back. Also, the upbeat volunteers with whom I passed many a word and a wave on countless laps, as well as the very jolly compère at the end of the race. I hope she knows she is good at her job.

Thank you again for your support. My Just Giving page shall stay open until the 3rd September. It's a privilege to fundraise for such a great cause and wouldn't it be nice to hit £1000? Please give if you can."

In 2022 Dementia was the leading cause of death in England and Wales, while many charities exist, doing great work, we believe that none provide the service we will be offering. We will fund professional carers to visit and provide much-needed respite to family carers at their own home.

The respite we will fund, is to protect the health and wellbeing of family carers of qualifying Buckinghamshire-based dementia patients. The carers we will provide, will be dementia-trained from organisations operating under the umbrella of the Quality Care Commission.

Many medical conditions enable patients and their families to receive Continuing HealthCare (CHC) by the NHS with financial assistance. Shockingly, dementia patients do not automatically qualify. As a result, those with means are able to seek private care, whilst many of those without, fall between the cracks and are left for a family carer to care for them.

These valuable carers are the hardest hit, often having issues of their own but trying to do the utmost for their patient. The outcome is that often they are physically and mentally exhausted, suffering a toxic mix of guilt and bereavement for the virtual loss of a loved one.

This is where Dementia Carer’s Respite comes in, as the charity that cares for the family carers themselves.

• We are looking to form an “expert panel” of dementia family carers. If you are a practicing dementia family carer and comfortable to talk about it, we would like to talk to you.
• We need volunteers with 5-7 hours a week to spare to help with the running of this charity. If you have skills that would benefit the charity, we would love you to join us.
• Are you able to empathise with the desperate plight of family carers - watching their loved one virtually disappear before their eyes with the effective loss of their own life as they spend 24/7 caring for them, without even a few hours of respite? If you are, please donate - even a small amount will help.

Andrew Ketteringham, former director of external affairs at Alzheimer’s Society and Vice Chair of Alzheimer’s Disease International, says, “I am delighted to see the need being recognised in Buckinghamshire and a charity being established to meet that need”.

BARGAIN Hunt's antiquarian Eric Knowles has become a patron of a new Buckinghamshire charity helping family dementia carers.

Dementia Carers Respite, an exclusively Buckinghamshire charity, aims to provide much-needed support to family carers of dementia patients in the area.

Recently registered, the organisation's mission is to preserve and protect the health and well-being of family carers by funding respite through dementia-trained carers from organizations under the Quality Care Commission.

Despite this alarming statistic, dementia does not automatically qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), leaving many individuals and their families to seek private care at a significant cost.

While those with means can afford care at £35 per hour or £1500 per week, those without are left with limited options and rely mainly on their family and partners for care.
Founder and Chairman Walid Marzouk said: "It is the carers themselves who bear the brunt of the challenges associated with dementia care. Often dealing with their own issues, they tirelessly strive to care for their loved ones.

"However, the impact on their physical and mental well-being can be significant, leading to exhaustion and a mix of guilt and bereavement for the virtual loss of their loved one.
"Dementia Carers Respite recognizes the tremendous strain placed on carers and aims to address this issue by providing them with much-needed respite."
With donations, the charity will be able to fund professional dementia carers throughout Buckinghamshire, offering family carers the opportunity to recharge and enjoy time with friends and family or even some much-needed time alone.

In Buckinghamshire, there are an estimated 9,437 people living with dementia, with around 714 mid-stage patients supported by a family carer who may qualify for the services provided by Dementia Carers Respite.

Although the charity is still in its infancy, it has assembled an experienced board of trustees and a panel of advisors with extensive expertise in dementia and Alzheimer's.
The founder and chairman of Dementia Carers Respite, Walid Marzouk, was inspired to establish the organization after seeing a BBC news story highlighting the plight and suffering of family carers.

He added: "A BBC news item, highlighting the plight and suffering of family carers motivated me to set up Dementia Carers Respite and I hope it will spur everyone on to give and support.

"Eric Knowles & Dementia Carers Respite Trustees are delighted that TV personality Mr Eric Knowles has agreed to become our Patron. He is famous for programs such Bargain Hunt.

He hopes that the charity's establishment will encourage others to give their support.

Andrew Ketteringham, former director of external affairs at Alzheimer's Society and Vice Chair of Alzheimer's Disease International, said: “I am delighted to see the need being recognised in Buckinghamshire and a charity being established to meet that need.