Yasmean Ashraf

Walking for a Cure – In Memory of My Dad

This year, I’m taking part in a charity walk through the Peak District – a place filled with childhood memories of my dad, who would bundle us into the car for walks in the Peak District.

My dad lived with vascular dementia and later showed signs of Alzheimer’s.

He was independent right to the end, stubborn as a goat, and always repeated the same stories – ones I’d heard a hundred times, but now I’d give anything to hear just once more.

He was the kind of man who’d give you the shirt off his back. He wasn’t perfect, and he’d be the first to admit it – but he was ours.

He loved watching the news, sports, and travel blogs on YouTube – always curious about the world.

He had the greenest fingers I’ve ever seen – he could grow anything. Even when his legs began to fail him, he still found a way to walk in the park, feeding the birds and squirrels in our garden with a gentle hand and nurturing his beautiful roses.

And while his cooking was often hilariously inedible, he always did it with heart.

Watching him change, forget, and slowly slip away was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced. A part of me went with him when he passed. But he lives on in me – in the way I love nature, in my stubborn streak, and in the stories I tell.

With every step through the Peak District, I feel closer to him. The strength he showed in his fight against dementia inspires me to keep going.

My dad always told me to celebrate his life when he passed – and that’s exactly what I’m doing with this walk. It’s not just about remembering him, but honouring the way he lived – with generosity, curiosity, and an unyielding love for nature.

Dementia steals so much from so many – but with research, there is hope. Your support isn’t just for my dad, but for all the families who deserve hope and the chance for a brighter future.

Every donation is a step closer to a world where dementia doesn’t steal away the people we love. Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

Every step I take is a celebration of his spirit, and I invite you to celebrate with me by supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Love, Yasmean