What do stand-up comedy, appearing on Steph’s Packed Lunch, and dropping out of the sky all have in common? They all feature in 50 challenges, local Shelle Luscombe, promised to undertake to raise money for research into dementia
When Shelle celebrated her 50th birthday in July last year, she wanted to have more than a hangover as a memory of her milestone birthday. As well as being a Twickenham-based vocalist, voiceover artist, MC and event producer, Shelle has spent the last few years dealing with the heartache of both parents’ journeys with dementia. So, she wanted to do something to help prevent others going through what she was experiencing.
In a moment of inspiration (after a glass or two of Prosecco!), she linked up with Alzheimer’s Research UK, set up a JustGiving page and began inviting friends to set her a challenge in exchange for a donation to the charity. And, with that, Shelle’s ‘50 Challenges at 50’ was born.
The challenges
The challenges set by others have been silly, poignant, significant, tricky, adrenalin-fuelled, terrifying and ambitious, but Shelle hasn’t shied away from anything. She added a disclaimer to her Facebook page that allowed her to adapt challenge suggestions to make them achievable or affordable. ‘I also reserved the right to refuse a challenge,’ explained Shelle, ‘in case someone thought it would be funny to suggest I ran down the street in my birthday suit!’
The list has included paddleboarding, wild swimming, learning to play guitar, baking, horse riding, a sky dive, performing stand-up comedy, taking part in BBC Radio 2 PopMaster, learning dance routines, quitting booze for a month, doing a 24-hour silence, learning sign language, appearing on national daytime TV, among them.
Fabulous fundraising
To date, fundraising has reached almost £7,500 with 38 challenges completed. Shelle is working her way through the remaining 12 and hopes to hit £10k, which is double her original target. She’d originally planned to complete all 50 challenges by her 51st birthday, but in February this year, Shelle’s Mum, Sue, who’d been living in a nursing home with advanced Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia for two and a half years, contracted Covid and began to deteriorate.
Shelle explains: ‘Mum was so frail by this point that she just didn’t have the capacity to fight the virus, and she passed away peacefully in February. I’d been at her bedside for three days and nights and was able to hold her hand as she took her last breaths, but it broke my heart.’
Helping to prevent dementia
With a family history of dementia, Shelle has a real concern for her own health, but through her work with Alzheimer’s Research UK, she’s learned that a genetic pre-disposition is possible but unlikely. She’s also learned that there’s a lot we can all be doing to help ourselves ward off dementia.
Healthy ageing is key, and fundamental to that is good brain health. The Think Brain Health* campaign by Alzheimer’s Research UK points to three simple rules for looking after our brains:
Love your heart
Stay sharp
Keep connected
Research is breaking new ground all the time, and the charity hopes to find a life-changing treatment by 2025.
Creative Fundraiser Awards finalist At the time of going to print, Shelle has just been announced as one of three finalists in the Creative Fundraiser of the Year category of the 2022 JustGiving Awards. This is a huge achievement, and she needs our help. The winners will be decided by a public vote and announced at an awards ceremony on Monday 10 October. To vote for Shelle, and the other amazing fundraisers shortlisted across eight categories, visit: https://page.justgiving.com/awardsvoting2022
To donate or to read more about Shelle’s challenges, go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/shelleluscombeofficial
Or there’s a full blog on Shelle’s website: www.shelleluscombe.co.uk
* www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/brain-health/think-brain-health
Find out about other local people here.