A CARE home manager from Weymouth will be taking part in a gruelling triathlon this weekend to raise money to support the fight against dementia.

Debbie Preston will be one of hundreds of competitors in the 70.3-mile Weymouth Ironman triathlon taking place this weekend.

She will swim 1.2 miles in open water, cycle 56 miles, and then finish by running the final 13.1 miles to complete the event.

Debbie is doing this challenge to raise money for Dementia UK, which supports families with loved ones who are suffering from dementia. The charity provides Admiral Nurses to work alongside families affected by dementia, giving them one-to-one support, expert guidance and offering practical solutions.

Debbie is the care home manager at Dorset House in Hamworthy, Poole and this is a cause close to Debbie’s heart in both her professional life with Care South and her personal life too.

Debbie, 48, from Weymouth, said: “I have been training hard since January for the Ironman, getting up at around 5.30am - when most people would still be asleep - to pound the pavements or take a swim. Then after a day’s work at Dorset House, I would do it all again.

"I am the Registered Manager for a Care home that looks after people with dementia and through my work, I not only support the residents living with it but also families that are affected by it.

“Dementia is an illness close to my heart, both as the manager of a home that care for people with the disease, and personally after my dad was diagnosed with dementia in 2013. He eventually had to go into care as he was unable to be looked after at home.

"Please help me raise as much money as possible for this fantastic charity."

Weymouth Ironman will take place on Sunday, September 22, the day after World Alzheimer’s Day.

Debbie is hoping to raise £200 for Dementia UK through the Ironman challenge, although she has already nearly hit that target. To help her raise even more, visit her JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/Debbie-Preston703.