Dementia charity urges people to sign up for Edinburgh Kiltwalk and support pioneering research
29 August 2018
A charity is calling on people to help make strides in the fight against dementia by taking on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk to raise money for pioneering research.
Philippa Park (left) team Glasgow Kiltwalk
Alzheimer’s Research UK is urging people to sign up for the event on Sunday 16 September, which is the final of the four Kiltwalks in Scotland this year.
The Kiltwalk is one of Scotland’s biggest annual fundraisers, attracting 14,000 walkers last year and raising £2.5m for nearly 800 charities.
There are three distances to choose from – the five-mile Wee Wander, 15.5-mile Big Stroll and 24-mile Mighty Stride – and the Hunter Foundation boosts fundraising totals by 40 per cent.
Philippa Park completed the Glasgow Kiltwalk in April with two friends and one of their daughters. They raised nearly £4,000.
She said:
“I really enjoyed the Kiltwalk. The atmosphere was great and there was a lot of support on the route. I was really chuffed to complete it and with how much money we raised.
“I choose to support Alzheimer’s Research UK because my nan has Alzheimer’s and I’ve seen how she has deteriorated with the disease over the last 10 years.
“She now spends her life in a care home, she cannot do anything for herself and sleeps all day. She no longer knows who I am, she doesn’t know I’m her granddaughter. I would give anything to have even half an hour with her where she was of sound mind and we have the giggles we used to have.”
Alzheimer’s Research UK has invested nearly £7million in research in Scotland, backing around 60 projects exploring the causes of dementia and work towards preventions, treatments and a cure for diseases like Alzheimer’s. Several of these projects are at the University of Edinburgh, which is a leading centre for dementia research.
Kyle Lockhart, Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Fundraising Officer for Scotland, said:
“There are around 70,000 people with dementia in Scotland and the condition has a devastating effect on families.
“By taking on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk for Alzheimer’s Research UK you will be powering world-class dementia research projects and helping bring an end to the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.”
To sign up for the Edinburgh Kiltwalk for Alzheimer’s Research UK go to www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/event/edinburgh-kilt-walk
For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK, or to find out more about fundraising for the charity, call 0300 111 5555 or visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org