I AM writing to you on behalf of the Alzheimer's Society to offer your readers the chance to experience one the most extraordinary places in the world the beautiful, amazing Iceland.

Trek Iceland will be a once-in-a-lifetime challenge and make a real difference to the thousands of people living with dementia.

Alzheimer's is a devastating disease. It not only affects the person who has been diagnosed, but also their family and friends. It's a cruel disease which gradually robs you of the person you know and love. Coronation Street viewers can see from scenes with my on-screen grandfather Mike Baldwin (played by Johnny Briggs) how dementia affects the whole family.

We're lucky. We can leave the TV studio at the end of the day. Thousands of people living with dementia and the millions of loved ones who care for them can't.

On this nine-day sponsored trip in Iceland for the Alzheimer's Society, adventurers will take in the spectacular views of the wild volcanic landscapes, hot springs, geysers, waterfalls and snowfields. This is a physically challenging trek through rocky terrain, lava flows, gorges and mountain ranges.

Those who take part in this challenge will also raise much-needed funds to help the 750,000 people living with dementia in the UK. There is no known cure. Families are faced with the daily struggle of caring for their relative with dementia sometimes with very little support and too often with little understanding from others.

Please sign up today for Trek Iceland from July 8 to 16 this year by logging on to www.alzheimers. org.uk/events or call 0870 417 0192 for an information pack.

Take up the challenge memories matter.

Rupert Hill, (Jamie Baldwin Coronation Street)