ALTHOUGH the onset of Alzheimer’s disease has turned Jamie Graham’s world upside down, he is still smiling.

Jamie, 62, from Swindon, was diagnosed with the debilitating disease in 2007 and his life changed beyond all recognition.

Before the diagnosis, Jamie had a high-powered job in information technology and was looking forward to an active retirement.

Since then he has had to give up driving and lost the ability to use a computer, read or write. Despite all this, his sense of humour remains intact and he still rides his bike, enjoys going for long walks and playing tennis.

Now Jamie, along with a team of friends, will row 22 miles along the River Thames from Eton to Henley next month to raise money for the Swindon dementia support group, Forget-me-not, which has provided him with a lifeline.

He said: “I’ve been a keen oarsman since my school days and, thankfully, it’s an activity I can still take part in and use positively to raise much needed money for dementia research.

“Since my diagnosis I’ve been saddened to find that investment into this dreadful disease has been woefully neglected and I want to help the Alzheimer’s Research Trust in its efforts to fund more research projects.

“My local support group, the Swindon Forget-me-not Centre, has inspired me to keep active and my family and friends have been wonderfully encouraging, putting all the plans for this venture in place and showing enduring patience.”

Along with the Swindon centre, Jamie is also fundraising for the national charity Alzheimer’s Research Trust and aims to raise £50,000 in total for both charities.

Miranda Mays, community fundraising manager for the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said: “This is an amazing effort and we can’t thank Jamie enough for his determination to help us beat dementia.

“The money raised will make a real difference, bringing us ever nearer to finding new preventions, treatments and an eventual cure through the world-class research we fund.

“We are currently funding 120 promising projects across the country, including over £700,000 at universities in south west England.

“Over 5,500 people in Wiltshire live with the daily reality of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and funding for research is desperately needed.

“The Alzheimer’s Research Trust relies entirely on its wonderful supporters like Jamie and we wish him every success.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor Jamie and raise money for the two charities can do so online at www.forgetmenotrow.com or telephone Sharon Manison at the charity on 01223 843899. Donations to the Forget-me-not Centre can be made by contacting Vicki Graham on 0771 361 5287.