Lloyds Banking Group fundraiser from Earlsfield, Wandsworth to take on epic international cycle challenge in the fight against dementia Charlotte Guerin from Earlsfield, near Wandsworth is training for a challenge of a lifetime, as she prepares to cycle 500km across Costa Rica to raise money for Lloyds Banking Group’s charities of the year, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland.

This November, Charlotte Guerin, 29 and 32 Lloyds Banking Group colleagues from across the UK are aiming to raise £200,000, cycling from the Pacific Coast to the Caribbean Coast in just seven days.

The money raised through the challenge will support Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group’s pioneering ‘Live Well’ programme which is about to be rolled out nationally across the UK.

‘Live Well’ is Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland first national support programme for people with dementia and their carers and, through a series of sessions aims to educate people about how to cope with day-to-day life and how to plan for the future.

Charlotte said: ‘I’ve seen first hand the impacts of a diagnosis of dementia. It’s an extremely difficult time for not only the sufferer but also their friends and family.’ ‘I was genuinely excited when Lloyds Banking Group announced that Alzheimer’s Society was the new charity of the year. The ‘Live Well’ campaign and its aim to support carers really struck a chord with me.’ ’I’m really driven by the objectives of the ‘Live well’ programme, having seen firsthand the lack of support and guidance available to careers. We can’t underestimate the benefit it will provide. ‘ Liz Monks, Director of Fundraiser at Alzheimer’s Society said: ‘We are so grateful to the 33 Lloyds Banking Group fundraisers who are giving up their time not only to raise money but also hit the road and train to get themselves in shape for what will be an incredible and unforgettable experience.

‘Dementia affects 800,000 people across the UK and this figure will have reached a million by 2021. The money raised through the Costa Rica challenge will help us continue to ensure people with dementia and their carers have the best possible quality of life.’ Graham Lindsay, Responsible Business Director at Lloyds Banking Group, said: ‘With 44 per cent of people in the UK connected to someone living with dementia, we know that many of our colleagues and customers will be affected by the condition at some point in their lives.

‘Colleagues voted overwhelmingly to choose Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland as charity of the year and have really embraced the opportunity to raise money in the fight against dementia. I’d like to wish Charlotte and the rest of the Costa Rica challengers the best of luck over the coming months, with their fundraising and training in advance of this exciting charity challenge’.

Charlotte is currently busy working, training and fundraising. Working between London and Chester has been challenging but has provided lots of opportunities to train in the gorgeous Cheshire countryside as well as keeping her witts about her whie riding in Central London!

One of her fundraising initiatives gives local business the chance to sponsor her cycling jerseys! If you’re interested in sponsoring a jersey contact Charlotte directly on Guerin_charlotte@hotmail.com If you would like to sponsor Charlotte visit http://www.justgiving.com/charlotte-guerin or text GUER99 to 70070 including your donation in the text message.

-Ends- Notes to editors: Throughout 2013/14, Lloyds Banking Group will be working with Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland to raise over £2million to help improve the lives of thousands of people with dementia and their carers.

Their pioneering ‘Live Well’ programme will educate people with dementia, their carers and families about how to cope with day to day life and how to plan for the future.

By working together, Lloyds Banking Group, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland will raise awareness of the problems faced by people with dementia and their carers when dealing with personal finances, exploring ways to make the banking sector more ‘dementia friendly’.

Based on information supplied by Charlotte Guerin.