Family plight spurs big-hearted siblings to go extra mile for dementia charity
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THE devastating impact on their grandfathers of a cruel disease affecting more and more people is spurring a determined brother and sister to go the extra mile for a cause close to their hearts.
The plight of their well-known Ross-shire grandfather – and the memory of one they lost last year – is motivating Shaun and Emma Miller to rise to the joint 50-mile challenge they have committed to for Dementia UK.
Their dad John was brought up in Alness by Billy and Cathy Miller. Billy was best known as a contractor but also owned second-hand furniture stores in Alness and Brora, while Cathy had catering contracts at the oil rigs in Invergordon and at Evanton and Tain.
Billy (73), formerly of Novar Toll, Alness, now resides at Castle Gardens nursing home in Invergordon as he suffers from vascular dementia.
The siblings' mum Angela last year lost her own dad, Jimmie Matheson, after a long struggle with the same illness when he was just 68.
And in a cruel twist of fate, a great-uncle Ernie Latham, currently residing in Cradlehall nursing home, is suffering with the same illness. Ernie has been voted Clachnacuddin FC's finest player and is known to an older generation of Ross County fans.
Shaun (28) and Emma (21) took up a fundraising challenge by charity Dementia UK to cover 50 miles in November against the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis.
Wheelchair user Shaun, who lives with cerebral palsy, is joining his sister on circuits of the running track at Inverness Sports Centre.
Their mum said: "John and I are very proud of them both and pleased that they have chosen to raise money for such a deserving charity. Dementia is a cruel disease that it appears impacts on most families at some point in life. It is also fitting that they have chosen this charity in honour of both their grandfathers."
When they visit grandad Billy in Invergordon, she said despite the fact he can't speak fluently "it appears that he knows who we are and when Shaun visits he holds on to his hand and doesn't let go for the entire visit".
Emma fits in runs between working full-time and training five nights a week as an amateur boxer. She said: "It's hard to watch someone you love suffer from such a horrible disease." Shaun said: "I feel so helpless when I visit my Granda Billy and in joining Emma by wheeling alongside her to raise money for DementiaUK, I at least feel that I am doing something to help."
Georgina Latham, the siblings' great aunt, said:"Emma has been and is a tremendous help to me both now and before my husband Ernie went into a care home. Ernie was a footballer with Clachnacuddin back in the 60s and will be well-known to some of the older Ross County fans.
"Both Emma and Shaun have experienced this devastating illness first hand, with both their grandfathers and want to raise money towards this cause. We are very proud of them."
Liz Sutherland, a family friend, said: "I am delighted they are raising funds for a charity close to my heart. They are both lovely young people who deserve to raise lots of cash for their enterprise."
Dementia has been described as the biggest public health challenge of the coming century.
They can be sponsored at www.facebook.com/donate/360885608500795
