Francesca Manson's ABP Southampton Marathon Festival 2027

1 in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK are currently living with dementia, a number set to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Behind those statistics are real families facing the slow, heartbreaking reality of a condition that changes everything—not just for the person diagnosed, but for everyone who loves them.

I recently lost my Granny to dementia. Watching someone you love slip away piece by piece is one of the hardest things to witness, but it also showed me just how critical compassionate care and ground-breaking research truly are.

To honour her memory, I’ve committed to running the Southampton Half Marathon.


I’m raising funds for Alzheimer's Research UK, working towards a cure so future families don't have to face this heartache, and Dementia UK, whose specialist Admiral Nurses provide a lifeline of hands-on support to families when they need it most.


Every single donation, no matter the size, makes a genuine difference. Thank you so much for your support, encouragement, and generosity.