Walk or jog for dementia support next month

MORE than 300 people and 25 teams have already registered for the annual Bendigo Memory Walk and Jog event – Dementia Australia’s biggest annual fundraiser – at the botanic gardens on Saturday 3 May.

Nationally, the organisation has a fundraising target of $2.5 million. About 865 teams and more than 13,400 people have already registered.

Last year’s local event attracted 756 participants and raised a total of $142,833.

The national total raised so far stands at about $1.5 million, with Bendigo one of 28 event locations around the country this year.

People interested in signing up as a participant or volunteer can do so at memorywalk.com.au/event/bendigo/home .

According to the organisation, more than 107,600 Victorian people are living with dementia – an estimated 2400 of them in Bendigo – and 433,300 nationally.

Participants on 3 May can choose to take part in a three-kilometre walk, a five-kilometre walk/jog, or a 10-kilometre timed run.

 

When participants register, they receive an email with a link to their own fundraising page they can share with family and friends to gather support.

“We look forward to hosting Memory Walk and Jog on Saturday 3 May at Bendigo Botanic Gardens for another successful year,” Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said.

“I hope everyone will consider joining us.

“Having communities like Bendigo participate in Memory Walk and Jog is a great way to show support for people living with dementia, their families and carers, and to help raise awareness about one of the biggest public health, disability and aged care challenges facing Australia.

“By getting involved in Memory Walk & Jog you are moving your body for better brain health and helping the countless families impacted by dementia in Bendigo and across Australia.”

If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, seven days a week) or visit dementia.org.au .