A DEVOTED daughter has raised almost £4,000 for two dementia charities after watching her father deteriorate from the illness.

Jackie Gee began fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society and Auckland Park Hospital near Bishop Auckland when her 87-year-old father, Raymond Gee, developed the degenerative brain condition.

Ms Gee, of Fishburn, near Sedgefield, said: “It’s been really hard seeing the way dementia has affected my dad since the first signs of the condition were spotted about 12 years ago because it really is a horrific illness.

“It’s heart-breaking but it made me want to do something to help those organisations that do their best to help people like my dad who are living with dementia and now I’m thinking of maybe one day doing a sky-dive for charity.”

The 39-year-old’s fundraising endeavours included braving a bungee jump and organising a charity ride with the help of Darlington couple Adrian and Elaine Smith, from Newcastle to Ferry Hill.

The money raised was halved between both charities.

Rebecca Scott, Alzheimer’s Society community fundraising officer, said: “We rely on such generosity and energy to provide services for people who have dementia and to fund research.”

For further details about Alzheimer’s Society services in County Durham contact the charity’s Chester-le-Street team on 0191 3890400.