Morecambe mum's 140ft zip-wire challenge

Christine Sandwell, who lives in Morecambe, will take part in the challenge with her sister on April 2 in Glasgow. The zip slide is 700ft from one side to the other and is elevated 140ft above the River Clyde.

Christine said: “I am feeling really excited about it, I can be an adrenaline junkie sometimes, so I am not too nervous. My sister and I are doing it in memory of our mum who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in January 2014 and passed away last year.

“It was absolutely devastating to watch her deteriorate so quickly. Alzheimer’s is such a cruel disease, and anyone who has had personal experience with it will know how heartbreaking it is.”

Christine, a client account manager at ICS in Lancaster, must raise a minimum of £100 but is aiming to exceed that target.

Two years ago Christine took part in the Great Manchester Swim and raised nearly £1,000 for Alzheimer’s Scotland.

She said: “It is a charity so close to my heart and to the hearts of so many people.

When I did the charity swim two years ago, I was astounded by how many people had a family member, a loved one or a friend who had been affected by Alzheimer’s.

“It is a truly awful disease and it can be quite difficult for those who haven’t experienced it first-hand to understand just how terrible it can be.

“That is why an important part of this for me isn’t just about raising money, it is about raising awareness and getting the word out there too.

“I think in some ways, Alzheimer’s used to be a taboo subject.

“People didn’t understand it and were quite ignorant towards it, they would almost brush it off as old age, but it is definitely more widely recognised now and hopefully awareness will continue to increase.”

To sponsor Christine in her zip wire challenge, please visit her fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/BettynCissy/.