JAMES Widdowson’s heartbreaking story of his father living undiagnosed with dementia for more than a decade, and his challenge to raise money for research into the disease, is a shining light anyone who is going through a difficult time.

James shared a special bond with his father, John, a joint love for their football club’s success and it is heartening to hear that in the darkest of times they still had that positivity together.

Losing a parent is one of the toughest things anyone has to go through so it is even more inspiring that James is taking part in the athletics challenge in Cyprus in his father’s memory.

The difficulty that they had to go through, not knowing what was causing the change in John’s behaviour, is something that fewer families will have to endure.

James, and everyone else at Dyson who have taken on challenges which have raised a staggering £130,000 so far for Alzheimer’s Research UK, should be commended for bringing a cure for the devastating disease a step closer.