Real stories

A golf challenge for dementia

Taking on dementia, one hole at a time

Arthur and Noah, two young friends from Surrey, recently took on an incredible golf challenge to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society - a cause close to both of their hearts.

Arthur’s grandad was a keen golfer and, even when Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia affected his ability to play a full round, he still enjoyed visiting the driving range with his family. Following his grandad’s passing last year, Arthur chose to take on the challenge in his memory.

Noah also has a personal connection to dementia, as his great grandma lived with Alzheimer’s disease.

Turning their love of golf into fundraising

The pair love playing golf together and decided to take on the challenge in memory of their loved ones while raising awareness of dementia.

To support their fundraising efforts, Alzheimer’s Society provided t-shirts and the boys’ mums set up a JustGiving page. They also came up with the clever idea of printing QR codes and attaching them to Arthur and Noah’s golf bags, making it easy for people to donate throughout the day.

A poster displayed in the clubhouse helped spread the word among members ahead of the challenge.

Going the distance for dementia

Supported by Windlesham Golf Club, Arthur and Noah set out to complete an impressive 54 holes in a single day. Starting at 7am, they spent 12 hours on the course in hot weather, making it a demanding test of determination and endurance.

Thankfully, they had an excellent support team on hand. Their mums helped keep them going with refreshments and caddying duties throughout the day.

Proud mum Zoe said:

'A few little rests were needed, but they did it! No moaning, just drive and dedication. They did amazingly well. I can’t stop telling all my patients at work.'

She added:

I’m an Occupational Therapist and previously managed a dementia service - so I’ve seen first-hand how important it is that we raise funds and awareness of dementia.

The very first person they met during their challenge mentioned that their spouse was living with dementia, serving as a powerful reminder of just how many people are affected by the condition.

As the boys approached the final hole, Zoe created motivational signs and brought pom-poms to help cheer them across the finish line after their long day on the course.

An incredible result for dementia

Together, Arthur and Noah raised an astounding £1,640. Having originally set themselves a target of £500, they exceeded it by more than three times. Their achievement was also recognised in their school newsletter, helping to inspire their classmates and raise further awareness of dementia.

Meg Foxall, Regional Fundraiser at Alzheimer's Society, said:

I am in awe of Arthur and Noah for completing their 54-hole golf challenge, especially during such hot weather. Their dedication is truly inspiring, and we are so grateful for their incredible support.

'There are around one million people living with dementia in the UK, but we simply can’t reach everyone without the continued support of our incredible fundraisers like Arthur and Noah.'