A DAUGHTER has spoken about the challenges her family face while caring for her dad, who lives with dementia.

Jo Davies’s dad Phil was diagnosed with dementia four years ago at the age of 68, a huge shock to the family, even though her mum Chris had noticed some changes in his behaviour.

“Since then it’s all been about learning and finding ways to cope with the day to day changes and making the most of everything,” said Jo.

Many people know Phil well as he walks the family’s big fluffy dog around Prendergast and throughout Haverfordwest.

The 26-year-old, who now works as an orthotist in Stockport in the north west of England, said her mother has had to become a full-time carer for her dad.

“Mum is Dad's full time carer: she doesn't get a day off if she is poorly, hungover, on holiday or simply just doesn't feel like it.”

The family has had support from Alzheimer’s Research UK and a local group called Friends of Young Onset Dementia, Pembrokeshire.

To thank those who have supported her family, Jo, a keen runner, decided she would challenge herself to run 5km a day for a whole year.

She has been recording her progress on a Facebook page, Daughter Against Dementia.

Jo started on April 28 this year, her 26th birthday, and is now more than 130 days into the 365 day challenge, hoping to have finished 2,600km by the end.

““Yes running every day is hard but living with dementia is harder,” said Jo.

“Alzheimer's is an awful condition and the fact that Dad may not know who I am to walk me down the aisle is one that crosses my mind frequently, but at present Dad is able to still walk our dog and is doing okay despite getting noticeably worse over the last four years.”

Jo is encouraging others to join Haverfordwest Parkrun as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Parkrun is a free, 5km timed run every Saturday morning at 9am across the world, with Haverfordwest’s held at the cricket club.

Visit Jo’s JustGiving page to help her raise money as she runs 2,600km.