A loving granddaughter penned a heartfelt poem to her grandad after he was struck by dementia.

Emma Barraclough, of Horton Bank Top, Bradford, was inspired to write to 87-year-old Wilfred Smith after his mental health deteriorated rapidly.

The 34-year-old wants to raise awareness of dementia and the effect it has on families and carers, and has completed a dryathlon – not drinking alcohol in January – raising £370 for Cooper House Care Home, where Wilfred has lived for a year.

“I want to put across what families go through – it is new to us. It’s soul-destroying. He is fine physically, but his mind has gone and he knows it,” Emma said. “Some days he is chatting away and other days he is screaming and lashing out.”

Emma praised staff at the care home for their help and support, and also said her grandad’s face lights up when he sees his six grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.