Alzheimer Scotland Needs Invernessians to Take Part in Scotland’s Memory Walk 2022

Invernessians are being asked to sign up to Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk this year to raise funds and vital awareness of dementia in Scotland. 

Scotland’s Memory Walk takes place on the weekend of 16-18 September and, similar to last year, a fundraising platform has been relaunched to ensure people taking part can feel connected and share their experience as one big community.

The idea behind Scotland’s Memory Walk is simple.

It’s Your Walk, Your Way.

That means participants can choose somewhere that has a special meaning for them at a time that suits them over the weekend.

And with so many great places to choose from nearby such as Merkinch Nature Reserve, Reelig Glen and Craigellachie Nature Reserve, you can enjoy some wonderful moments together.

The distance doesn’t matter, whether it’s 1km, 5km or 500km.

It might even be a lap of the  garden.

Best of all, it’s free of charge for everyone who takes part, although everyone is encouraged to raise as much as they can.

Participants will have the option to create a team with friends, family or colleagues and fundraise via their own personalised Memory Walk page.

This year, Scotland’s Memory Walk will be over three days, with the Friday giving workplaces the opportunity to pull together and do something good for charity.

Every penny raised as a result of Scotland’s Memory Walk will go directly towards the support Alzheimer Scotland offers across Scotland, including their 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000).

Margaret Northedge (63) from Drumnadrochit near Loch Ness, who lives with dementia, said: 

“Dementia is everyone’s business.

“We must all know someone who lives with or cares for a person with dementia, it’s a disease that can affect old and younger, rich and poorer.

“No one is exempt.

“I enjoyed my job, but dementia took that from me several years ago.

“Without the support and friendship of Alzheimer Scotland I would have been lost.

“Stepping through the door of the Dementia Resource Centre opened up new opportunities for me.

“I’ve found talented new friends, gained the confidence to realise ambitions such as running every step of a 10K race, and used technology to connect with people I may never have known.

“Dementia isn’t going to define me, stop me from having an opinion or from aiming to achieve further targets in the future.”

Karen Black, Dementia Advisor for Inverness, said: 

“We depend on fundraised money to run our range of innovative and personalised support services and Scotland’s Memory Walk is one of the biggest fundraising events we have.

“But it’s not just about the fundraising.

“Scotland’s Memory Walk brings communities together, children, adults and older adults.

“Many participants have something in common; they are walking for someone they care about, a person living with dementia, a carer or in memory of a loved one.

“We hope Scotland’s Memory Walk gives people the chance to honour their loved ones and feel connected to the dementia community across the country.

“It doesn’t matter where you are, or your ability, you can take part and help us to fulfil our mission to make sure nobody faces dementia alone.”

To sign up to Scotland’s Memory Walk, visit: memorywalk.alzscot.org