The Metro Lifeline team were walking to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society Rosie Brooks is all smiles as she carries out some last-minute checks on her backpack, but behind her cheerfulness there’s a very serious reason she is standing in the picturesque grounds of Cirencester’s Royal Agricultural University. ‘I want to do something to honour my mum, Dawnie, and do something positive, because of all the suffering she went through,’ she tells Metro. It’s 7.30am on a breezy but sunny Saturday morning and Rosie is standing at a start line along with hundreds of others, ready to take her first step on a 100km continuous walk through the beautiful Cotswold countryside. As part of Metro’s Lifeline team, Rosie’s reason for taking on this epic challenge that will see her hike through the night, is simple. Her mum, Dawnie, was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease in March 2019 – and died from the disease two years ago when she was just 63. Rosie says she was doing the walk in memory of her mum Dawnie was diagnosed with dementia in 2019 ‘I’m also doing this to give something back to the Alzheimer’s Society who were absolutely fantastic in supporting us as a charity,’ Rosie adds. Metro first spoke to her at the beginning of the year, when we launched our Lifeline campaign to help raise awareness and money for Alzheimer’s Society. Rosie shared how doctors initially dismissed her mum’s memory loss as depression and menopause, which meant the family went back and forth to the doctors for 15 months trying to find out what was wrong, after Dawnie started forgetting things such as the name of her much-loved horse Bud and struggled to complete even the simplest tasks. Even when Dawnie suffered an eye bleed in 2018 and was given a brain scan, the illness was not picked up. It was only a year later when reviewing the scans, her consultant psychiatrist spotted shrinkage in the parietal lobe – a clear sign of dementia. After Rosie shared her heartbreaking story with Metro writer Sarah Ingram, the pair struck up a friendship and both living local to the Cotswolds decided to join our Lifeline team of trekkers. L-R: trekkers Daniel, Sarah, Rosie and Kirsten take in the views Made up of readers, Metro staff and charity supporters, the 18-strong group covered over 1000km over the weekend, as they took on 25km, 53km and 100km routes of the Ultra Challenge Cotswold Way event. Starting in Cirencester and joining the Cotswold Way at Painswick, our team were treated to incredible views of the idyllic Gloucestershire countryside – which was admittedly more hilly than most of us imagined. The walk was beautiful, but also included many hills It was a difficult choice… … but the views were worth it Stopping every 12.5km to check their feet, refill their water and refuel (the Ultra Challenge sweetie stops are legendary), it was mostly a day of smiles and chatter, as well as quiet reflection. After crossing the 100km finishing line, Rosie said: ‘It felt like an epic achievement. I feel quite delirious because I could never imagine having been on my feet for 27 hours continuously and walking throughout the night, in the darkness, through all the different terrains, going from being really hot, to being really chilly, to being hot again. ‘All the people who have supported me along the way have been absolutely amazing and it’s been great to meet all the other people on the Metro Lifeline Team. ‘We’ve all kept each other going – especially during the small hours when I really didn’t know what was going on. I feel quite emotional about it all. I am so thankful to everyone who has generously donated and so grateful to have had the opportunity to do this in Dawnie’s memory.’ Talking about the efforts of our amazing trekkers and Metro’s initiative, Michelle Dyson CB, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘The Lifeline campaign has been a really important platform, allowing people to share the reality of living with dementia, helping to raise awareness of just how devastating it can be. ‘It’s also been fantastic to see so many people take on the Cotswold Ultra Challenge at the weekend to raise vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society’s work. ‘I want to thank every single person who walked, donated, shared their experience or helped to raise awareness. Together, their efforts have helped to make the walk, and this campaign, a huge success. ‘I also want to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to our partners, Metro – without whom none of this would be possible. Funds raised will allow us to continue being a lifeline for everyone affected by dementia and facilitate world-leading research, now and in the future.’ Metro’s deputy editor Claie Wilson, who oversees our Lifeline campaign and took part in the trek, said: ‘As we started to share people’s stories as part of our initiative, what struck me was just how many of us have been impacted by Alzheimer’s in some way. Hearing them talk about how devastating the illness is, you couldn’t escape the overwhelming sense of love and care that also came through, even when people were talking about the bleakest of times. ‘I also learned how vital Alzheimer’s Society is for families impacted by this cruel disease and how hard they work to support them. I feel incredibly proud that Metro have been able to help them in some way, and of all our amazing trekkers who took on this walk with such grit and determination. It really was incredible.’ Our trekkers were still all smiles at 40km During the difficult miles, Rosie says there were reminders everywhere of why she was doing the walk – including blooms of forget-me-nots along the Cotswold pathways – the poignant flower of the Alzheimer’s Society. She also says she felt as if Dawnie was sending her own sign as robins kept popping out along the walk, as if in encouragement. ‘She loved robins,’ explains Rosie. ‘Whenever I see one, I think Dawnie is near, watching over me.’ So far, Metro’s Lifeline campaign has raised over £22,000 – if you would still like to donate, please click here. Where we stayed Metro would like to extend a huge thank you to the De Vere Cotswold Water Park, which provided accommodation for some of our team. Surrounded by 152 lakes, the resort offers incredible panoramic views of the surrounding waters and wildlife , as well as affordable self-catering accommodation and a spa for anyone in need of a relaxation and a pamper. 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