Watchet and the Quantocks Dementia Action Alliance leader Margaret Tatham is embarking on a week isolating in Cyprus – which she plans to spend raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Instead of twiddling her thumbs, Margaret will be walking 10,000 steps a day starting yesterday.

“Keeping up a good level of exercise is particularly important during times of isolation,” she said. “When I am at home, I try to walk 10,000 steps a day.”

She is visiting her daughter and granddaughters for the first time since December: “But before I can see them, the Government there requires visitors to isolate in a hotel room for a week because of Covid.”

She is appealing to people to encourage her to reach her daily target by supporting her lonely exercise routine through her Justgiving page – either a one-off donation or by donating per number of steps: “So much per thousand!

“Doing so will help the Alzheimers Society in its mission of research into cure and ongoing support for people living with dementia, their carers and families. Most of us know someone affected, so I hope they will help me to help them. Alzheimers Society needs us now,” said Margaret.

Donations can be made through Justgiving.com/fundraising/watchetdementia or cheques payable to Alzheimers Society posted to: FREEPOST RTLT-SSCX-RZUA, Alzheimer’s Society, Scott Lodge, Scott Road, Plymouth.