Giraffes at Dudley Zoo and Castle stick their necks out to help launch Black Country Memory Walk
Published 24 July 2012
Former carer, Phil Wood was joined by giraffes at Dudley Zoo and Castle to launch Memory Walk, Alzheimer’s Society’s flagship fundraising event, which takes place there on 22 September.
Phil will be walking in memory of his father, and is urging others to sign up and take part. Members of staff from Alzheimer's Society and Bupa Care Homes also took part in the launch.
Phil, 61 from Sedgley, was his father's main carer and felt this taught him patience and understanding. Phil's father passed away very recently and had dementia when he died. Phil said;'My dad lived with Alzheimer's for ten years. During that time, he was positive but he lost his ability to live a normal life. It's so important to support the Alzheimer's Society through events like Memory Walk, so that others may be spared a similar existence.'
There are over 68,900 people living with dementia in the West Midlands and this is expected to rise to over 90,000 by 2021.
Alzheimer's Society Community Fundraiser, Emma Dowler has been helping to organise the walk. She said:'Memory Walk is a fantastic way to spend a Saturday. From a four year-old to his 80 year-old gran, Memory Walk sees whole families coming together to fight dementia.
'Additionally, a whole array of refreshments will be provided. Our walkers and spectators will be entertained by Out of the Shadows, a local rock 'n' roll band and a Classic Cars display as well as children's entertainment. Come and join us and make it a day to remember!'
Memory Walk 2012 is being held in partnership with Bupa Care Homes. This year, Alzheimer's Society is encouraging people to go the extra mile and take part in Bupa's 'Memory Mile' at the end of the walk to raise a further £5 to support people with dementia.
Jane Cullen from Bupa's Netherton Green Residential and Nursing Home in Dudley, which cares for residents with dementia, said:
'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.'
The Black Country Memory Walk takes place on Saturday 22 September, starting from Dudley Zoo and Castle. Participants get free access to the Zoo and Castle.
To register for Memory Walk, visit memorywalk.org.uk
