Hayley Underhill

My friend Claire and I are taking on this charity walk in honor of my dad, my hero,  who is living with severe dementia.

Dementia doesn’t just affect memory — it slowly takes away pieces of the person you love. Watching my dad change has been heartbreaking. The man who once guided, supported, and protected our family now needs that same care in return. Some days are harder than others, and every small loss is felt deeply.

This walk is my way of raising awareness for a condition that affects not only those diagnosed, but entire families. Dementia is often misunderstood and underestimated, yet it touches millions of lives every day. Behind every diagnosis is a family trying their best to cope, to stay strong, and to hold onto moments of connection.

By taking part in this walk, I want to honour my dad’s journey and help support the vital work being done to improve care, provide support for families, and push forward research that could change the future for others facing dementia.

Every step I take is for my dad — for who he was, who he still is in the moments that matter, and for all the families walking this same difficult path.

Thank you so much for your support. It truly means more than words can say.