Fundraising walk that pays tribute to people with dementia is returning to the Highlands
A fundraising walk that pays tribute to people with dementia is returning to Inverness next Sunday.
Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk 2024 takes place on Sunday, September 1 and will raise vital funds to support dementia care, research and improvements in brain health.
People across the area are being encouraged to sign up for the outing at the Queens Park Athletics Track in Bught Park, where they can walk in memory of loved ones affected by the illness.
Frank Stephen, 74, who is originally from Aberdeenshire but lives in Thurso, will be opening the Inverness Memory Walk.
The retired vet raised an incredible £35,500 for Alzheimer Scotland after walking 175 miles in just 14 days up the John O’Groats trail at the end of May.
Frank said: “I will be taking part in Inverness Memory Walk for my wife Moira who had vascular dementia. She was a much-loved primary school teacher and died in June aged 74.
“We both benefited greatly from the support provided by Alzheimer Scotland. Moira and I would regularly go to their dementia café and it made such a difference having people to talk to. It’s an honour to be opening this event.”
The Inverness event is one of four Memory Walks taking place across Scotland through every weekend in September.
Events are taking place in Inverness, Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow.
Tickets cost £10 for adults and children can be registered for free.
Every penny raised will help people with dementia and their carers, as well as supporting better brain health for everyone in Scotland.
Scotland’s Memory Walk is also about celebrating the lives of people with dementia and walking to remember them.
Ceri Turner, 60, will be taking part in Inverness Memory Walk 2024 with her mum Margo Deaves, 85, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease last year.
Ceri, a retired nurse and teacher based in Nairn, said: “As well as raising vital funds for Alzheimer Scotland, we will be remembering my mum’s father who also had Alzheimer’s, and my dad who died 12 years ago.
“Mum is an amazing woman who has always been such a strong, independent character. She was the first matron of the Highland Hospice when it opened in Inverness in 1987. She was a trained nurse and worked hard while also raising three children.
“Nothing fazed mum. In the early days at the hospice there was very little money in the care budget, so she would undertake all kinds of fundraising stunts, including skydiving when she was in her 50s.
“Alzheimer Scotland have helped us a lot since mum’s diagnosis, and it will be good to raise awareness of the support that’s available.”
Nina Semple, centre manager for Alzheimer Scotland’s Inverness Brain Health and Dementia Resource Centre, said: “Alzheimer Scotland is proud to support people living with dementia and their families and carers, from our centre here in Inverness.
“We are absolutely delighted to host this fantastic new Memory Walk in Inverness. It is such a special event and it will be wonderful to walk alongside our supporters again in the local community.
“Scotland’s Memory Walk has always had a wonderful ability to bring people together. Every pound raised helps Alzheimer Scotland continue to develop and deliver vital dementia support. We can’t wait to see Bught Park filled with a sea of purple t-shirts.”
To find out more and to sign up for Scotland’s Memory Walk, visit memorywalk.alzscot.org
