Take a stroll with the Alzheimer's Society Memory Walk
Published 11 September 2003
The Alzheimer's Society is putting its best foot forward for its first national Memory Walk to celebrate World Alzheimer's Day on 21st September.
More than seventy branches will be hosting walks across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to raise money to support people with dementia, their families and carers. A list of branches hosting events can be found on the Society's website at http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.
Clive Evers, director of information and education at the Alzheimer's Society, says:
'Memory is a gift that we all take for granted. It shapes who we are and allows us to form relationships with other people. We could not imagine what life would be like without it. This event provides a great opportunity to raise awareness in the local community of dementia and the impact it has.'
People of all ages will be stepping out for a wide variety of walks. Unlike the traditional sponsored walk, which tests endurance, Alzheimer's Society Memory Walks can be merely a short walk or stroll around a park or through the local streets. Branches in Chichester and Chester will mark the occasion by walking around their historic city walls, whilst in the West Midlands, members of the Dudley branch will hold a tree planting ceremony at the end of their walk through a local park.
Memory Walk was first piloted in the UK in London last year. The concept was launched in 1989 in the United States where it now raises over $17 million from 500 walks in 50 states. It has also been adopted by a number of other countries worldwide.Â
Notes for editors
- The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
- World Alzheimer's Day is held on 21 September each year. It is a day on which Alzheimer associations across the world concentrate their efforts on raising awareness about dementia. This year's campaign focuses on the importance of forming a good partnership between the doctor, people with dementia and carers in order to get the best care possible for a person with dementia.
- Over 700,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.
- Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80.
- There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
- For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
- Our website address is: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
