Sussex walkers raise thousands for Alzheimer’s Society at Memory Walk

HUNDREDS of walkers united at Petworth Park to step up for a world without dementia on Saturday, September 19.
Lesley Manville warming up with Zumba        Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015Lesley Manville warming up with Zumba        Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015
Lesley Manville warming up with Zumba Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015

More than £5,000 has been raised for the Alzheimer’s Society at the Sussex Memory Walk, which saw more than 500 people take part.

The money raised will go towards funding services for people affected by dementia as well as research into better treatments and an eventual cure.

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Walkers enjoyed a warm up by shimming their way to a Zumba warm up from Zumba Gold, and later Celebration Sambra entertained the crowds and spurred the participants on to the finish line.

Celebration Sambra wows the crowds     Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015Celebration Sambra wows the crowds     Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015
Celebration Sambra wows the crowds Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015

There was also tombola with prizes donated from businesses and individuals across Sussex and a bake sale.

Lesley Manville, theatre and television actress, cut the starting ribbon of the walk. She said: “My mother had dementia and we were very affected by it on a personal level.

“She was diagnosed about ten years ago when it seemed to be less on the radar.

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“I went to Sussex Memory Walk to help raise awareness of dementia. Alzheimer’s Society has done a fantastic job of raising the profile of the condition and if I can help to raise it even more, I will.”

Volunteers and walkers of all ages helped to celebrate the the lives of lost loved ones and those needing help     Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015Volunteers and walkers of all ages helped to celebrate the the lives of lost loved ones and those needing help     Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015
Volunteers and walkers of all ages helped to celebrate the the lives of lost loved ones and those needing help Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015

Ben Cole, 31, from Crawley, decided to take part in the walk in memory of his grandmother, Marion. He said:“This is the first time I have taken part in the walk and it’s been great. There’s a fantastic atmosphere of everyone wanting to fight dementia.”

Georgina Essex, 38, from Dartford, also took part in the walk for her grandmother, Doreen. She said:“We did the 8km walk and it was great – what a great location too.”

Hannah Miller, Alzheimer’s Society community fundraiser for West Sussex and Surrey, said: “There was a brilliant atmosphere at Sussex Memory Walk and it was lovely to see so many people supporting a great cause.

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“Everyone taking part helped to improve the lives of people living with dementia and their carers. A huge thank you to all who made the event such a success, including our amazing volunteers – all 60 of them.”

Hundreds gather for the Sussex Memory Walk at Petworth House, Petworth      Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015Hundreds gather for the Sussex Memory Walk at Petworth House, Petworth      Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015
Hundreds gather for the Sussex Memory Walk at Petworth House, Petworth Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015

For more information about Alzheimer’s Society, visit alzheimers.org.uk or donate on 0845 306 0898.

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A tombola was held in support of the fundraising        Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015A tombola was held in support of the fundraising        Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015
A tombola was held in support of the fundraising Picture Credit/©Grant Melton Photography2015

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