Yvonne Tomlinson

Brookmans Park mother of three Yvonne Tomlinson is undertaking the challenge of a lifetime to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society.

The trip, which is taking place next February will start from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and finish in Kompong Thom, Cambodia is being organised by the Alzheimer's Society. It involves more than 470 km of cycling over five days in hot and humid conditions.

Yvonne is taking part in the challenge because she wants to highlight a disease which has affected her mother.

"Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 14 years ago, in her early 60s. During this period the person I dearly love has gradually but relentlessly been taken away, it's heartbreaking.

"The Alzheimer's Society is not just for sufferers of dementia but for the people around them, relations, carers and friends.

"The support and advice the Alzheimer's Society gave me when I had to make important and painful decisions about mum's care was invaluable."

Yvonne is currently training and can often be seen cycling around the village in between school runs.

She has funded all expenses for this trip herself so every pound of the three thousand pounds she hopes to raise will go directly to the charity.

Donations can be made online at Just Giving. The benefit of this system of giving is that the charity benefits from getting the tax back on your donation. Alternatively, you can mail Yvonne.

You can discuss this issue in this site's forum.

27 June 2008