Devoted Danielle is running for her nanna

Danielle Border was devastated when her nanna, Joan Harper, 73, was diagnosed with the disease six years ago.

The Peterlee pensioner’s condition quickly deteriorated to the point where she is now cared for at The Hawthorns care home in Peterlee and doesn’t recognise her family.

Danielle, 26, who lives in Easington Village, said she wanted to raise money for the charity to help research into the condition, as well as raise awareness of how it effects sufferers and their families.

She said: “My nanna was my best friend. We did everything together. We were always the crazy ones in the family. I think that’s why her illness has hit me so hard.

“In six years she has gone from just forgetting bits and bobs, to where now she can hardly string a sentence together. She is in her own little world really.

“It is dreadful for the family because you are grieving for the person you have lost, but they are still there.

“They have been taken from you, but they are not gone.”

Danielle, who works at EDF Hartlepool Power Station, has set herself a target of raising £1,000 and is already well on the way.

She organised a cake sale at work and raised £260 and is also holding a charity buskers night in The Village Inn, at Easington Village, on June 26, with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Danielle is also in training to take part in the Morrisons Great North 10k run, which takes place on July 5.

She added: “I can honestly say I couldn’t run down the street before, but I am now in training and actually enjoy it, I find running very therapeutic.

“My nanna would be so proud if she could understand what I was doing. So many people can relate to this illness and if by doing this I can gain more awareness or a cure in the future its more than worthy.”

Alzheimer’s Society is the leading UK care and research charity for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, their families and carers.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Danielle can visit her fundraising page at www.justgiving.com\danielle-border.

To find out more about fundraising for the society or to get more information, help or advice about dementia, people can visit the website at www.alzheimers.org.uk.