A WHITCHURCH nurse is calling on the town's support as she prepares to compete in the world-famous London Marathon

Nicola Dickson, 57, is a nurse at Whitchurch Community Hospital, in Claypit Street, and is running the 26.1 mile race – probably the most famous in the world – to raise awareness and money for Dementia care.

Originally from London, where her family still lives, Nicola is now settled in Shropshire with her family but says she was driven to raise funds after caring for her father, who has a form of Dementia.

She said: "Having watched my 89-year-old father, who is an ex-professional sportsman and naval architect, be diagnosed with Vascular Dementia diagnosed and now witnessing first-hand his horrific decline, lack of dignity and appalling frailty, I'm ensuring that I will do all she can to help this disease.

"I'm desperately trying to start a community cafe and singing group for both carers and people who have a diagnosis of dementia in Overton village and Tushingham Church. The local government have agreed a grant in principle.

"But this all takes time. I'm currently driving four to six hours to look after my father as well as working in the NHS where there are well-known ongoing staffing problems.

"However, I decided to do something positive and run the London Marathon in aid of dementia.

"With 14 weeks to train in between work and caring for my father and I would be incredibly grateful for your support."

In her Just Giving page story, Nicola added: "My father, my mother-in-law and many friends have been affected, some as young as 50, and some much older. As a nurse I realise that our population is growing older and dementia is on the rise which is why I joined the NHS."

If anyone would like to donate to her fundraising, you can do so anonymously or by giving your name via the Just Giving page or pop in to Whitchurch Community Hospital.

Her Just Giving page is https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nickydickson16222