A DEVOTED husband of 58 years is trying to raise money for the charity that helps his wife with her severe dementia – by cycling 80 miles in his 80th year.
Les Littler, 79, who lived in Springfield, Chelmsford, for almost 30 years, looked after his wife, Madge, also 79, through her battle with breast cancer in the 1960s and later dementia from 2002 in their home.
But after 12 years of home care, the severe effects of the condition began to take hold and Madge had to be put into the Larchwood care home at Bocking near Braintree.
"I looked after Madge for 12 years, but she started to become violent and so there was no way that I could look after her at home," he told the Chronicle.
"She's at the stage now that sometimes she does not recognise me and other times she will. Sometimes she's really lovely and other times she's aggressive.
"It's difficult to live with that. I have to live with it but it's the most strenuous and awful position I have ever been in.
"On April 28 we have been married for 58 years. I'm even more drawn to the home every other day just to keep an eye on her, because we are so much in love."
Due to his wife's health, Les, who now lives in Halstead's Trinity Road, is determined to do his bit for dementia research and is set to cycle 80 miles on June 15 on an 8.6-mile circuit around the countryside in the area around nearby Pebmarsh.
He will be raising money for Essex Dementia Care, which he says helped his wife tremendously in the early stages of the condition.
"For Madge they provided an Oasis Centre – we used to go there every Monday. They used to give them simple things to do – painting, karaoke, kicking a big ball around the room and plays for occupational therapy. It was all very helpful."
Despite completing 220 miles of training, Les does not think the ride will be easy.
"The ride will be quite a challenge for me. It's something I have not done since I was 14. I'm not really a cyclist – I'm a marathon runner.
"It will be nice to support a charity that is doing a great job. Anything that helps Madge is a plus."
To donate to Les and Essex Dementia Care, visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/les.essexdementiacare
