As London braces itself for the TCS London Marathon this weekend, one man's determination shines brightly amid the sea of runners.

Ricky Butt, 43, is running to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society to support people like Nigel Howe, a resident at Camelot House & Lodge care home in Wellington.

During his heyday, Nigel, once a familiar face on the football pitch and football club founder, was diagnosed with dementia in 2020.

Since 2021, he has been a resident at Camelot House – a specialist care home for people with dementia – and supported by the love of his family and friends.

“Some of my close friends have been impacted by dementia, so it seemed more than apt to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society,” said Ricky, a site manager for Taylor Wimpey.

“I have seen first-hand the devastation that this horrible illness has caused to both the families and their loved ones.

“It has been a struggle to watch the deterioration of Nigel over the years and the effects it has had on those closest to him.

“I recently had the pleasure of visiting Nigel and let him know I was running the London Marathon to which he gave a big thumbs up!

Ricky from Tiverton, has raised more than £3,700 to date, including staging an event with the band Not the Cowboys at the town’s Moorhayes Community Centre.

“I have been attempting to enter the race for the past 14 years, so was absolutely thrilled when I won a place and run for the Alzheimer's Society,” he added.

“Although I am a regular runner, I cannot lie, the training over the last six months has been tough especially as the mileage increased!”

Sam Paddon, Head of Care at Camelot House & Lodge, which is run by Camelot Care, praised Ricky’s dedication.

“Ricky's decision to take on the gruelling challenge of running the London Marathon speaks volumes about his character and empathy,” said Sam.

“His efforts are not just about completing a marathon, but also raising awareness, funding research, and providing support to those affected by the condition.”

Nigel Howe, who lived his whole life in Tiverton, played for Elmore FC, Tiverton Town FC, and Willand Rovers FC, and was one of the founders of the Moors Youth FC.

Donations to Ricky's fundraising page can be made here: https://2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/richard-butt

Camelot House and Lodge is run by specialist dementia care provider Camelot Care who also have homes in Bridgwater, Plymouth, and Yeovil www.camelotcare.co.uk.