A Dorset man has completed an extraordinary solo trek to overcome tragic loss with love and hope.
Chris McKenna decided to walk all 630 miles of the South West Coast Path by himself in aid of The National Brain Appeal, an organisation that supports pioneering research into a wide range of neurological conditions.
Chris, 66, who lives in Blandford Forum, said the cause is deeply personal to him because Alzheimer’s has touched his family in devastating ways.
“I lost my mum to Alzheimer’s in 2003.
“My brother Mike died in 2022 from early-onset Alzheimer’s.
“My sister Deirdre was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2025.
“In 2024, I received my own diagnosis: Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA), a condition closely linked to Alzheimer’s pathology.
“In 2025, I began attending Professor David Werring’s specialist clinic at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology where I’ve seen first hand the importance of research, expertise, and hope.”
CAA is an incurable condition which, like Alzheimer’s, is caused by a build-up of amyloid-beta protein in the brain.
In Alzheimer’s, it builds up between brain cells; in CAA, it builds up in the walls of the blood vessels in the brain.
Over 90% of people with Alzheimer’s also have some degree of CAA.
While Alzheimer’s causes memory loss, CAA weakens blood vessels, leading to microbleeds, a higher risk of haemorrhagic stroke and cognitive decline.
Chris added: “Despite everything, I walked the whole of the South West Coast Path on my own over eight weeks.
“I want to raise funds for the research that could change the future for families like mine.
“This walk is my way of honouring those I’ve lost, supporting those still fighting, and contributing to the breakthroughs that might one day prevent others from experiencing the same heartbreak.
“Every donation, every share, every message of support helps fuel both the research and my steps along the path.”
Donations can be made to Chris’ fundraising appeal on justgiving.com
More Dorset fundraisers in aid of Alzheimer’s and other charities
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