Foyle Memory Walk

Blustering wind and lashing rain couldn't deter the people from stepping out to fight dementia on Sunday (18 September 2016).

An estimated 1000 walkers set off from Ebrington Park for Alzheimer's Society's Memory Walk, raising funds to fight dementia, which affects around 20,000 people locally.

For Alzheimer's Society ambassador Sarah Travers, the walk was a time to remember her father Ian. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2008 aged 62. He died in 2013. Sarah did the Memory Walk with Ian and her family in 2011, and has since walked it with her mother Mary and other family members.

“We need to find a cure for dementia. And until we do, we need to support people who have dementia to keep living their lives well, and we need to provide support for their families too.

“There’s still a long way to go, and the generosity of people makes a real difference. It funds research, it funds amazing projects like Singing for the Brain and Dementia Cafes, it raises awareness. But it is also a great family time of togetherness. Whether you are making memories or treasuring them, it’s a very special day," she said.

Maeveen Brown, Alzheimer's Society Community Fundraiser for the Foyle area, said the turnout this year has been amazing. "We can't say a big enough thank you to the huge crowd who have come out today despite the weather - it's by far our biggest Foyle Memory Walk, and we need to say thank you to all the volunteers who make this walk possible.

Like other walkers, Sarah wasn't deterred by the dreadful weather, which reminded her of the year she did it with her Dad. "A bit of rain won't ruin the craic, we're all here for the same thing, to walk for a world without dementia and think about the people we love.