A COUPLE have run 10km on the other side of the world to fund a trip to the theatre for a doting grandma who is fighting dementia.

Hannah Bryant and her partner Matt Gould, took part in the run near their home in Wellington, New Zealand, to raise £320 to pay for Hannah’s grandmother, Amy Hubbard, 94, to see a production of Aladdin at the Cliffs Pavilion, in Westcliff.

Ms Hubbard lives with dementia, having been diagnosed six months ago.

Now she and 17 friends from Elizabeth House care home, in Hadleigh, will get to enjoy a theatre trip thanks to her granddaughter’s efforts.

Georgina Bryant, Hannah’s mother and Amy’s daughter, said the couple wanted to do something special for their grandmother following the diagnosis of dementia.

She said: “Hannah moved out to New Zealand a while ago now, before the dementia diagnosis. She and Matt knew that they would not be able to make it home for Christmas to see their grandma this year, and following the diagnosis they wanted to be able to do something special for her.

“Running is quite a big deal for Hannah, I think it was very tough for her, but she got through it and they raised what they needed.

“My mother absolutely loves going to the theatre; she’s been many times in her life, she loves the songs, singing along and being swept up in it all.”

Ms Bryant says her mother is still doing well despite the diagnosis, and was “absolutely over the moon” to find out she would be given a festive trip to the theatre tomorrow.

Amy Hubbard lived with her daughter in Hadleigh Park Avenue, in Benfleet, before moving into the care home, and previously worked for the Ministry of Defence.

Hannah, 32, and Matt, 33, ran the Hutt Valley Fun Run on November 25 this year and raised the money through a crowdfunding.

Ms Bryant added: “Mum knows that she’s going, but not what day yet. She keeps asking us – she is very excited!”