AN office worker who had two mini strokes is taking on a 13-mile trek for her cousin who was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia.

Helen Black was diagnosed with Picks Disease last April, when she was 49.

It is a form of early onset dementia which affects the frontal lobe.

After diagnosis, the patient’s life expectancy is three to four years.

Helen’s cousin, Anne-Marie Fowler, is taking on a trek around Stonehenge to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Anne-Marie, 48, from Tiptree, said: “Helen’s life expectancy isn’t very long and she has gone downhill a lot.

“I had a mini stroke myself in November at home and another one this year at work and I had to stop driving, so I had to start walking to work.

“I started to get fitter and thought I would go for the trek, it’s something to aim for for Helen.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

  • Helen Black

Despite having to be on medication for the rest of her life, Anne-Marie has been walking every Sunday since January.

She has lost three and a half stones in the process.

She said: “It’s a bit hillier than Essex at Stonehenge so I’m a bit nervous about the terrain.”

It will be a challenge but Anne-Marie will be thinking of Helen to spur her on.

She said: “Helen is an amazing artist and used to take photos for Next catalogues. It’s heartbreaking.

“It affects all the things that make you human so she doesn’t know she has to wash and dress, she has to have carers and needs to be fed.”

The trek, known as Trek26 Stonehenge, will take place on August 31.

Anne-Marie has raised about £500 so far.

She also took part in a 7km memory walk for Helen last year.

She said: “I walk around four to five miles per day, but I have never taken on a challenge like this.”

To donate to the fundraiser visit justgiving.com/fundraising/anne-mariefowler.