Ten years and 10 races
Cyclist living with dementia celebrates 70th birthday with Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge
Alister Robertson is once again putting forth his best effort to raise awareness and, perhaps, funding for those affected by dementia mate wareware.
Alister is the creator of the My Life’s Journey app and a recent recipient of the Queen’s Service Medal for his services to the dementia mate wareware community – among his many achievements.
Diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers at age 60, Alister has continued to live a full, and active life cycling daily around Napier and beyond.
He is excited to channel this energy into training for the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge, on Saturday 30 November where he will cycle 160km around the perimeter of the lake – and he would love your support!
In Aotearoa New Zealand there are about 70,000 people living with dementia mate wareware, with the most common form of dementia mate wareware being Alzheimers disease.
Aotearoa New Zealand can expect at least a 240 percent increase in dementia mate wareware cases in the next 30 years.
This event will be the tenth time Alister has completed the challenge, and he says it’s a great way to celebrate his milestone 70th birthday!
Alister has always been a keen sportsman, and he switched to cycling when running was putting too much pressure on his body.
The upcoming event will be the first time he has entered in more than a decade.
“Just because I have dementia doesn’t mean to say I can’t still do things like continue to cycle,” says Alister. “It’s a good opportunity to once again raise awareness for dementia.”
Organisations like Alzheimers New Zealand are integral in supporting those with dementia mate wareware, by lifting their quality of care, advocating on their behalf and working towards making New Zealand more dementia friendly.
By supporting Alister’s mammoth effort cycling Lake Taupo you are also supporting the mammoth effort of Alzheimers New Zealand.
You can keep up with Alister’s training efforts on the My Life’s Journey Facebook page and make a donation online.
Caption: Alister Robertson at the finish of the Alps 2 Ocean ride at Ōamaru