Following the success of last year’s Sudbury Memory Walk where 168 walkers of all ages stepped out despite the terrible weather, in memory of all those families living with or having lost someone with dementia, the event organisers Abbeycroft Leisure, have announced this year’s date as Saturday 25th May.
The free walk starts and finishes at Kingfisher Leisure Centre, Station Road, Sudbury, with the walkers enjoying the beautiful Stour Valley Trail. The first walk will start at 11.00 with further walks planned to take place at staggered times. There are 4 routes; ½ mile, 1 mile, 3 mile and 5 miles. The ½ mile distance was added to encourage families living with dementia to join the walk with their loved ones. There will be seats along the route to take a well-earned rest and a rest station at the ¼ mile turn around point.
The Memory Walk which is now in its fourth year was inspired originally by Jerry Thatcher (aged 71) a community volunteer who is part of the support team for the event, alongside Care UK, the Bridge Project and Babergh District Council.
Although the walk is a free event – donations are gratefully received and all proceeds will once again be equally divided between two local dementia organisations; Decaf – a memory café in Sudbury which is part of the Bridge Project that provides an invaluable community resource for families living with Dementia and Hadleigh Dementia Action Alliance – who organise and support activities in Hadleigh to enable those living with Dementia to live well.
The decision to move the event from its original October date, was an easy one explains Abbeycroft’s Events Manager, Lisa Dagnall, “We thought it would be a great opportunity to move the date of the walk to tie in with both national Dementia Action Week which promotes taking actions to improve the lives of those living with Dementia, as well as coinciding with the first ‘Move Suffolk Week’ which aims to get people moving”.
Jonathan Seed, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council’s Corporate Manager – Policy & Strategy (Health and Wellbeing), said:
“The response we’ve had to the Sudbury Memory Walk over the past four years from individuals, businesses and charities has been amazing, and shows the depth of support for organisations supporting those with dementia in our area. It’s a beautiful walk for a wonderful cause, and I’m sure the people of Sudbury will embrace this year’s Memory Walk just as they have over the previous years.”
Registration is now open for the Memory Walk and you can donate here via the Just Giving page.