With a total of four miles, nearly 400 walkers, our first ever Memories and Miles walks were a great way to celebrate the end of our three-year Department of Health funded Dementia Project.
Earlier in the year, we announced that we would be holding a number of MacIntyre Memories and Miles events, which would consist of four fully accessible one-mile walks, to raise money for our Memory Cafés.
Back in September, the first of our walks kicked off in Bedfordshire where over 70 people completed a mile around Mowsbury Park to celebrate loved one with dementia. Complete with a Zumba warm-up, an Easy Read table, a Memory Tree and a life-size cut-out of Usain Bolt, the Bedfordshire Memories and Miles was a fantastic start.
Speaking about the event, a mother of one of the people supported by MacIntyre said:
“This is the first race and medal my daughter has ever been able to take part in, so thank you.”
Leaving Bedfordshire behind, Memories and Miles moved on to Milton Keynes, where we received an outstanding response from families, friends and people we support. Over 100 people turned out on Sunday 7 October. Among the attendees was Donald Delmohammed, who independently raised over £400 by completing the mile in his wheelchair.
Finally, over the weekend Memories and Miles arrived in Warrington at The Halliwell Jones Stadium and concluded in Chesterfield in Queen’s Park on Sunday 28 September.
Nicola Payne, MacIntyre’s Dementia Project Officer said:
“Memories and Miles was just a thought this time last year, between myself and Sarah and now I have the greatest memories of the four fabulous events. Everyone was so proud to take part and to receive their well-deserved medals at the finish line. Raising money along the way for each Memory Café too was amazing!”
Sarah Ormston, MacIntyre’s MacIntyre’s Health Advisor and Dementia Project Manager added:
“Thank you to everyone for making all Memories and Miles events such a success, we couldn’t have done it without you! It has been a fab way to celebrate the end of the Dementia Project funding.”
We’d like to say a special thank you to Shirlene Hercock, Energie Fitness and xercise4less for organising our warm-ups in Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and Chesterfield. Also, to Tom Whittaker and the Choir for performing at the Chesterfield Memories and Miles.
We’d also like to thank every one of you who took part in Memories and Miles, truly making the events walks to remember!
