Margaret Northedge (pictured)who is taking part in Alzheimer Scotland Memory Walk this weekend (18-19 September) is urging others to take part.
Margaret Northedge (62) from Drumnadrochit near Loch Ness, who lives with dementia, said:
“I didn’t want to get involved with Alzheimer Scotland’s groups at the start, but once I was there they made me so welcome and I looked forward to going again.
“When I was diagnosed, I was actually lost, it was a very sad time for me, so being able to receive support from the Dementia Centre and other people was a lifeline, because I was going down a slippery slope of depression.”
Scotland’s Memory Walk takes place on 18 & 19 September and a new fundraising platform has been launched to ensure that people taking part can feel connected and share their experience as one big community.
The idea behind Scotland’s Memory Walk is simple.
People can choose where they want to walk, and with whom.
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 Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Botanic Gardens or Pollok Country Park, you can create special memories with friends and family that will last a lifetime.
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.
Everyone who supports the campaign will also be able to earn rewards and badges, there are also prizes and medals up for grabs this year.
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.
Dementia Advisor Hayley Lyons from Dingwall Dementia Resource Centre, said:
“My role is fully funded through fundraised money 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 Alzheimer Scotland’s mission to make sure nobody faces dementia alone.”
