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Maggie Lopez

Run 100K in February '26

Help me reach my goal of £350

I'm running 100K for Dementia UK

This February, I'm running 100K and raising funds to help ensure no family faces dementia alone. I'm taking on the challenge for Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity, and would be grateful for your support.

Your donation, big or small, makes a difference. £33 could fund a new dementia specialist Admiral Nurse to spend an hour helping a family in the community, offering practical solutions and emotional support to cope with their loved one’s distressed behaviour.

Thank you!

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Reach My Goal

Raised

£253 + £37.50 GiftAid

My Goal

£350

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Received 5 Donations

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My Updates

Saturday 7th February

Saturday 7th Feb
Silence… Many people, upon receiving a diagnosis of dementia, experience a rush of fast-tracking thoughts in the first few days. Why me? What about my family? When will I stop recognising my loved ones? What is my life going to look like now? So many whys and whens appear, most of them unanswered. Everyone walks this journey differently, but for many, there comes a moment of pure silence. A moment to acknowledge. A moment to accept. A moment to be honest and open about what is happening, and about a life that is about to change. Whether the progression is slow or rapid, dementia places an emotional strain not only on the person affected, but also on their family and loved ones. Everyone wants things to stay the same, yet everyone is changing at the same time, often quietly, often alone😔 Silence can feel peaceful, yet unbearably loud. For many, this is what the journey looks like. M

The Mirror of Youth

Friday 6th Feb

Friday day 6

Friday 6th Feb

When the Mirror Holds a Memory


Today, I want to reflect on the behaviours we so often see when caring for our loved ones with dementia. Many of these moments are shaped by the mirror of youth.

These images show older adults in everyday moments, but in the mirror, we see who they once were. The past and present standing side by side.

This is what dementia can feel like. Inside, many people still feel young, capable, and full of purpose, even when their reflection tells a different story. When they speak of another time, they aren’t lost, they’re living in a memory that still feels true.

Dementia doesn’t erase a person’s identity. Behind every aging face is a lifetime of love, strength, and meaning.

When we care for someone with dementia, we aren’t just supporting who they are today, we’re honoring every version of who they’ve ever been💙

Wednesday day 4 -Resilience

Wednesday 4th Feb
I somehow thought today would be easier. I was very wrong.
I kept putting off my run, hoping my legs would stop aching if I waited long enough. When I finally put my trainers on and stepped out the door, it felt like I’d left an anchor inside the warm, cosy house and was dragging it behind me.

Every step was a struggle. But as I run each day, I think of those living with dementia. Their daily battles. The days they want to give up. The moments of terrifying self-awareness when they feel their memories slipping away , like pages of their life story being torn out, one by one…

Sadness and anger rose in me. I thought of my nan. Her book slowly approaching blank pages , no words, no pictures, just emptiness.
I ran home. I finished my run.
 Tonight, I lit a candle in memory of my nan, and for everyone living with dementia. 

(Managed 3.6 today )

Tuesday day 3. Today’s story

Tuesday 3rd Feb
I woke up incredibly sore this morning. Even the massage from my husband yesterday hadn’t eased my aching legs. I struggled up the escalator stairs at the station, and my day was only just beginning.
By the time I got home late that evening, the doubts had crept in, as they so often do. Would I be able to run today? I sat at the dining table, tired and heavy, when my mind drifted back to a conversation I’d had earlier.
An elderly gentleman had dropped a tissue, and I bent down to help him. My stiff, painful movement made him paused and he gently questioned whether I was able to bend at all. That small moment turned into a conversation I will never forget.
He shared with me his 12-year journey of watching his beloved wife slowly fade away to incurable dementia. She passed nearly a year ago, yet the love in his eyes, his voice, and his heart was still so present, so alive. He spoke of the gradual decline, the heartbreaking separations during Covid, and the moment that shattered him most ,when she could no longer recognise the man who loved her more than anything.
His quiet strength, his fight for the love of his life, and a decade of daily grieving stayed with me. As I sat there later, staring at my running shoes, his story echoed in my heart. And not long after, I was out in the rain, running  and running to try, in my small way, to stop others from suffering, to help find a cure for such a cruel disease.😞

Today I made a small step forward: 3.76 km. And I thank Mr. P for the encouragement, the reminder of love, and the story that carried me out the door…

Monday

Monday 2nd Feb

2nd of February- run/jog full of aches

Monday 2nd Feb

I woke up feeling strong, just a few gentle aches in my legs 🦵 a quiet reminder of yesterday’s miles. As the day went on, the pain grew louder. By the time I headed out this evening, it felt like stones were tied to my feet, every step heavy, every stride a struggle.

But I know this part of the journey. It gets harder before it gets easier. Our bodies need time to adjust, to learn a new rhythm, to build strength where there was none before.

And that’s not so different from the journey of someone who has just learned they or their loved one is living with dementia. The fear. The pain. The uncertainty. Not knowing what life will look like now, or how to move forward with something so overwhelming.

This month, my miles are for them. For every person navigating this cruel disease, one difficult step at a time. . .

Each day, I’ll be sharing with you my thoughts and feelings from these runs,  because no one should have to face this journey alone. 💙

1st of February-Sunday run

Sunday 1st Feb
It had been raining all day, and I kept putting it off, waiting for the clouds to clear. I told myself I’d go once the rain stopped. Then it hit me ,for so many families affected by dementia, the rain never really stops… So I stopped waiting. I pulled on my jacket, laced up my trainers, and with my nan beside me in my heart, I stepped outside. Today I ran my first 3.5km for dementia. Cold, wet, and emotional , but worth every single step🏃‍♀️

First day of the challenge

Sunday 1st Feb

When I signed up for the 100k challenge in February, my thoughts were with the people, families, and friends whose lives are touched every day by this cruel disease.

 I carry with me the memory of my last visit to my beloved nan, who lived so bravely with dementia. She passed away few weeks ago, before I could begin this journey, but her love and strength walk beside me in every step I am about to take.

I may not feel ready or fully prepared, but this challenge isn’t about being ready. It’s about showing up for awareness, for compassion, and for hope. Even as memories fade, love remains, and through every step of this journey, I hope to honour those living with dementia and those we hold forever in our hearts ♥️ 

Wish me luck 🍀 

Maggie

Thank you to my Sponsors

£50

Paul Morgan

Good luck Maggie - I look forward to following your progress. Such a great cause and brilliant initiative! Well done you!

£33

Zoltan Zolyomi

“Go Maggie!! 💪 Can’t wait to smash a few miles together over the next couple of weeks. Such a brilliant cause - respect, well done! 👏🏃‍♀️”

£20

Maggie Lopez

£20

Arnie Vashisht

£20

Jorge Lopez

I hope you can reach the goal! I can see your dedication and efforts running under the rain in the cold and breeze weather!! Loveyou

£20

Rakhee

You’re amazing Maggie!! I saw your pain today but you kept going! Good luck with the rest of your run xx ♥️

£20

Dominika Lorek

Go Maggie, go Maggie, go Maggie, go

£20

Witold Lorek Lorek

£20

Jane

So happy to support this really worthwhile and much needed cause. Well done Maggie - take care and good luck!! xx

£10

Anonymous

Best of luck Maggie

£10

Mateo

Keep up the good work!

£10

Abla Nkansah