Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

A man from Llanbradach is set to run 86km between Bannau Brycheiniog and Cardiff Bay in memory of his late grandfather, who suffered from dementia.

Andrew Gooding described his grandfather, Raymond Gordon Richard Lee, from Abertidwr, as a “kind and caring man” before being diagnosed with dementia in 2020.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, he said: “It’s a horrible disease. His decline after diagnosis was rapid, his whole personality changed and it was difficult to watch.

“Me and my brother both have fond memories of our nan and grandad, who looked after us while our parents were at work.

“It was sad to see him change so much towards the end. My nan looked after him for as long as she could, as is her caring and devoted nature, before he eventually spent the last few months in Ystrad Mynach hospital.”

Mr Lee passed away aged 89 in April 2023. With his birthday approaching on November 15, Andrew has decided to raise money in honour of his grandad by making the 86km – just over two marathons – run down the Taff Trail on Sunday November 12.

The grandfather to 12 and great grandfather to 32 was a keen football fan, according to Andrew. The West Ham fan played for Chatham Town while being stationed in Kent during his time completing national service.

“He moved from Kent to Penyrheol with my nan some 60 years ago and everyone knew him through his involvement in football.

“If he wasn’t playing or coaching he’d be refereeing the games. My nan would take us shopping and we’d have to leave him chatting to someone about football until we were ready to leave.

“Even at the end, when he didn’t recognise anyone, he’d still be talking about football.”

Nicknamed ‘Taffy’ by his English team mates at Chatham Town, Andrew will run the ‘Taffy Trail’ to raise money for both Dementia UK and the Aneurin Bevan Health Charity.

“Since the birth of my son I haven’t had the chance to do much running so this will be a huge challenge for me. The longest I’ve gone before is a marathon in my street during Covid.

“I managed to raise £2000 running back and forth a strip of around 500 metres for Serennu Children’s Centre which was great.

“I was struggling to think of what to do this time, but as the distance is close to 90km and he would have been 90 I thought it was a good idea.

“I think it’ll be an emotional journey of reflection for me. A celebration of my grandad as well as a grieving process.”

Andrew plans on running most of the way, but may stop now and then as he will be joined by friends along the way before meeting his family at the finish line in Cardiff Bay at around 6pm.

He continued: “I’ve managed to raise £750 so far with a target of £1,000. I’ll be running in a t-shirt with the charities on and a picture of my grandfather on the sleeve.”

One in 11 people in the UK have dementia, according to the NHS.

You can track Andrew’s progress live here, and donate to both causes via his givewheel fundraising page.