A Douglas teenager has walked 20 miles in tribute to her grandfather.

Connie Trevethan decided to take on the challenge after watching her grandad Frank Evans’s experience with dementia.

She is raising funds for Alzheimer’s Society, a national charity with a branch in the Isle of Man which provides information, support and research to create change for people affected by dementia, to support those living with the condition.

Mr Evans was described as ’always an active man’ until he faced various health difficulties as a result of Type 2 diabetes, but two years ago his wife noticed he was doing ’odd things’, such as putting the dish washer on with no dishes in or unplugging the TV, and tests revealed he had dementia.

The 17-year-old, who walked from Douglas to Peel and back, said: ’My grandma looked after him for nearly a year and I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it is to watch the only man you’ve ever been with fade away.

’Eventually we made the difficult decision to put him in a home.

’I never realised how horrible dementia is, it’s very hard watching the man who taught me to read and write fade away to the point I now sometimes teach him to read a child’s book.

’I want to do everything I can to be a good person and live up to the morals he taught me from a young age, to always be kind and try and even just make a small difference to someone’s life. He was a truly selfless man.’

The walk, which happened on Sunday, saw Storm Franklin in full force.

She said: ’The weather was awful, heavy rain and heavy winds, but it felt amazing to finish after wanting to give up so many times on the way back because of my foot deciding to play up.’

She explained that growing up her parents were often at work so she spent a lot of her childhood with her grandparents.

Miss Trevethan added: ’My grandad has led a really happy life. He is the most amazing dad and grandad and most importantly the best husband to my strong grandma Lynn Evans.

’No one has ever experienced an ounce of anger from him. He was my best friend growing up, always there to read to me.’

Alzheimer’s Society Isle of Man community fundraiser Siobhan March welcomed the decision to help raise money for the charity.

’It’s wonderful that Connie is giving her time to support Alzheimer’s Society,’ she said. ’People with dementia have been worst hit by coronavirus, accounting for over a quarter of all deaths, and many more rapidly deteriorating from the knock-on effects of lockdown.

’It’s never been more important to support the more than 1,300 people living with dementia in Isle of Man, and thanks to the generosity of supporters like Connie we can make sure people get the information and support they need, through vital services like our Dementia Connect support line.’

Alzheimer’s Society research shows that 900,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia.

This is expected to rise to two million by 2051.

Miss Trevethan has so far raised £1,470 - she had a £600 target.

’I’m so grateful for all the support,’ she added.

l You can still donate to Miss Trevethan’s JustGiving page by searching ’Connie’s walk from Douglas to Peel and back’.