Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk Challenge aims to raise £15,000!

Alzheimer Scotland, in partnership with Bupa Care Homes, is holding its flagship Memory Walk in Mugdock Country Park near Glasgow on Sunday 16 September 2012.  Scotland’s leading dementia charity is running the event, backed by Bupa care homes in the local area, as part of its celebration of World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September 2012. 

This fantastic family day out is an important fundraising event for Alzheimer Scotland, as the charity looks to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and promote the message that exercise is good for your body and brain, reducing the risk of developing dementia.  There are currently 84,000 people in Scotland who have dementia and Alzheimer Scotland are working to make sure no one goes through the illness on their own

To find out more about Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk please visit www.alzscot.org/memorywalk2012, or to register and for more information please contact the Events Team on 0845 260 0789 or email events@alzscot.org.

One participant in the Memory Walk is Claire Robson, aged 22 from Paisley, who has volunteered at Alzheimer Scotland’s Renfrew charity shop for nearly 5 years.

“I chose to volunteer for Alzheimer Scotland after my Gran passed away with dementia in early 2005. I absolutely love volunteering in the charity shop as I’ve met some great people, and I feel like I’m giving something back to the community, supporting people like my Gran. I’ll be doing the 5K Memory Walk for my Gran and to make my family proud, while hopefully raising lots of money for Alzheimer Scotland.”  

Siobhan Drane, community and partnership manager at Bupa Care Homes, says

“Many people have heard of dementia but know very little about it, until it touches their lives.   When that happens, it can be upsetting, particularly if it’s a loved one.   Our care home staff will be getting behind the Memory Walk in September and encouraging residents’ families, who have been personally affected by dementia, to get walking to raise valuable funds.”

Alzheimer Scotland hope people of all ages and abilities will enjoy the 5km sponsored walk around the beautiful scenery of Mugdock Country Park, with the charity aiming to raise over £15,000 from the event.  This will go towards funding Dementia Advisors, Dementia Nurses, the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre and the freephone Dementia Helpline.  New to the event for 2012 is the Bupa Memory Mile, where walkers can choose to walk an extra mile in return for a donation of £5 from Bupa Care Homes to Alzheimer Scotland.  Entertainment on the day will include music, dance, face painting, a magician, arts and crafts for all ages and delicious home baking.

For more information on the Memory Walk please visit www.alzscot.org/memorywalk2012, or call or email the Alzheimer Scotland Events Team on events@alzscot.org or 0845 260 0789.