A CHEQUE for seven-thousand dollars raised at the 2023 O\u2019Keefe Challenge was presented to the Heathcote Dementia Alliance last week.<\/p>\n
The challenge is a not-for-profit annual walk, run or ride event supporting health and well-being in the community.<\/p>\n
The event is backed by O\u2019Keefe Rail Trail Marathon and managed by a group of volunteers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll profits from the five kilometre Walk against Dementia go towards supporting HDA\u2019s innovative projects, supporting those living with dementia and providing a technology hub supporting our community,\u201d said volunteer Kerstin Brauns.<\/p>\n
HDA founder and president Sandra Slatter thanked O\u2019Keefe participants and organisers for the donation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe community was disappointed the dementia village did not go ahead as we were at HAD,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, we are a resilient community and although we do not have a village, HDA have developed an original solution to avoid admission to residential aged care.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur prototype, Costerfield House, was recently applauded in the Victorian Parliament as a world first innovation.<\/p>\n
\u201cCosterfield House will become a living lab for the next 12 months where further research and evaluation will be undertaken before it is used for respite accommodation for people living with dementia and their carers.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing forward we are also working on a cluster community concept of four, six or eight smart care villas arranged in a group supported by local healthcare providers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The O\u2019Keefe Challenge will again be supporting HDA for the 2024 event which is scheduled for 21 April at the Barrack Reserve.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be a host of events including a full marathon, half marathon, 10-kilometre race, team events and plenty for the kids to do with the superhero dash,\u201d Ms Braun said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe event will be held on the same day as the Heathcoe Community Games, organised by the community house with lots of family activities.<\/p>\n