Carer completes first-ever Alzheimer’s Society memory walk

A home care assistant raised more than £140 for a care charity after taking part in the first-ever Alzheimer’s Society memory walk.

Every three minutes someone develops dementia. It’s the UK’s biggest killer and there is currently no cure.

Northern-based home care provider, The Great Care Company, prides itself in the training and support provided to staff to help them deliver high-quality care to clients with dementia living in their own homes.

With almost a quarter of their clients having some form of dementia, the team works hard to provide the support required to help people to maintain their independence and quality of life.

Fiona, a home care assistant at the company, and her dog, Popeye the jack russell, embarked on a three-hour journey from her home near Easingwold, North Yorkshire for their first-ever Alzheimer’s Society memory walk.

Fiona walked in memory of her dad, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and for all the clients at The Great Care Company who are currently living with dementia.

The Memory Walk was not only a way to hold high the memory of those lost and living with dementia, but a way to help find a cure and raise awareness of dementia.

Fiona says: ‘I really wanted to take part in the memory walk and to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society in the process.

‘My dad was diagnosed with dementia and I work with a number of clients who have dementia. I can see first-hand the impact it has on peoples’ lives. Doing the walk brought back fond memories of my dad who loved walking and hiking.

‘In a small way, it also helped me to be involved in something that would make a difference to other people, especially the people I support in my work, like Kath who is such a great character.

‘It’s so good to know that although it was just me and Popeye walking, there were so many others walking for the same goal in their local areas.

‘The Great Care Company has been right behind me with their support and input, which gave me the push I needed to do this challenge.

‘With time altercated from the company’s Extra Mile Fund I was able to do several smaller walks of about two-three miles each to help me work up to my main walk of eight miles.

‘I was glad to be there for our lovely clients and to be able to make their lives a little easier. I’m glad I could be part of the memory walk and in my own small way I could help some more people who are living with dementia.’

Thanks to all her supporters, Fiona managed to smash her target of £100 and raised a grand total of £145 (and counting) for the charity.

Dominique, client onboarding and experience director at the Great Care Company said ‘We’ve been behind Fiona all the way, what she has done is amazing.

‘She challenged herself to walk further than she would normally. We support a lot of clients with dementia and so it’s touching to know that one of our staff felt inspired to use the incentive of the Extra Mile Fund to do this walk, not only for her dad but also all our clients.

Photo Credit – Pixabay, the Great Care Company