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Leader Live
6 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Bethan Scott to take on 500km cycle in memory of husband
Bethan Scott is embarking on her next major challenge starting on July 23, cycling 500km from London to Paris, as part of her ongoing mission to raise £1 million in memory of her late husband, Dave Scott. Bethan will be joined by fellow fundraisers Roman Mach and Helen Massey, who she met during previous charity treks and cycles in support of Nightingale House Hospice. Helen Massey, Roman Mach and Bethan Scott. (Image: Nightingale House Hospice) The trio will start their journey in Croydon, riding to Dover before crossing the Channel to Calais. Once in France, they'll cycle through picturesque countryside, historic market towns and the poignant war memorials of the Somme, before arriving in Paris via the Champs-Élysées and finishing at the iconic Eiffel Tower. This incredible ride is just one of many challenges Bethan has completed around the world since she began fundraising in Dave's memory following his passing in 2017. Her efforts have already raised over £180,000 for Dave's chosen charities Alzheimer's Research and Cancer Research UK, including £160,000 for Nightingale House Hospice, the place that provided care and support for him and his family. Bethan said: 'The hospice will always be central to my fundraising. Dave Scott (Image: Nightingale House Hospice)'I've seen first-hand the incredible care they gave to Dave and our family. "I've made it my mission to raise £1 million in his name and this year I'm aiming to reach my next milestone of £200,000.' Bethan is grateful to have the backing of three generous sponsors for the London to Paris ride. The ASH Group, SPEN and The Pencilcraftsman have all come forward to support the challenge. Following the London to Paris cycle, Bethan and Roman will head straight into another international challenge in October, taking on the Spanish Three Peaks in Sierra Nevada National Park, tackling Alcazaba, Veleta and Mulhacén (mainland Spain's highest peak) over three gruelling days. The Spanish trek will mark Bethan's 10th international challenge, adding to an impressive list that includes the Inca Trail in Peru, Mount Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, the Great Wall of China, the Alps, Camino de Santiago, mountains of Croatia, Mount Toubkal and cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia and Milan to Venice. In 2024, Bethan and the Everest Base Camp team and Dave's Memory Walking Group, who walked from Llandudno to Wrexham, raised almost £20,000 for Nightingale House Hospice, and she continues to be overwhelmed by the support of her fellow fundraisers. Helen Massey is also planning to take on the Welsh 3000s challenge this year to support Bethan's fundraising total. MOST READ: 3 'must visit' seaside fish and chip shops in North Wales named among UK's best New gastro pub and restaurant opens its doors in Wrexham Over 25's nightclub set to open its doors in Wrexham city centre So far this year, Bethan has raised over £6,000 and is hoping a packed calendar of events will help her reach £20,000 by the end of 2025, bringing her overall fundraising total to £200,000. Bethan added: 'Every step, every pedal, and every summit is for Dave. 'I promised I'd keep going, and I will, not just for him, but for the hospice and for everyone who needs their care.' To follow Bethan's journey or support her fundraising, visit:
The Independent
09-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Cameron tells Starmer ‘progress possible' on dementia after loss of his mother
Lord David Cameron has told Sir Keir Starmer that 'progress is possible' on tackling dementia after the loss of his mother to Alzheimer's. The former prime minister said that there is 'still a mountain to climb', as he recalled the 'full destructive force' of the illness. Writing in the Sunday Times, Lord Cameron also announced that he had returned to his position as president of Alzheimer's Research UK, having stepped down when he became foreign secretary in 2023. Lord Cameron wrote: 'The very future of our health service rests on how we respond to the growing dementia crisis. 'In short, there is still a mountain to climb. But my message to Sir Keir Starmer and his team is that progress is possible if they're committed to it.' He said that his 'dear mother' Mary Cameron died last month. 'We were in a lucky position as a family to be able to pay for carers in her home,' he said. 'But no matter how good the care, the full destructive force of Alzheimer's is shocking and saddening in equal measure. Memory goes; movement goes; eventually speech and almost all cognition and recall goes.' Lord Cameron said that breakthroughs in treatment were too late for his mother, 'but soon that won't be the case for people living with dementia'. Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia. According to Alzheimer's Research, almost one million people in the UK have dementia. Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'We are thrilled to welcome Lord Cameron back as president of Alzheimer's Research UK, continuing the vital mission he set in motion with the Prime Minister's Dementia Challenge. 'No world leader has done more to put dementia on the global agenda, helping to secure vital research funding and drive awareness of a condition that affects millions.'
