Memory Walk for the Alzheimer’s Society
The Wills, Trusts & Probate Team from Coventry solicitors, Band Hatton Button, recently took part in a Memory Walk in Leamington Spa.
The Walks, organised by the Alzheimer's Society, are aimed at generating funds for the charity, along with raising awareness of Alzheimer's and Dementia. Dementia is the UK's biggest killer and a massive 225,000 people will develop dementia this year, which equates to one person every three minutes.
All of the lawyers from the firm's Wills, Trusts & Probate Team - Michelle Gavin, Christina Polychronakis, Lisa Moseley, Keri Wood, Naomi Cooper and Rumina Khatun - took part in the walk on Saturday 28 September at Victoria Park in neighbouring Leamington Spa, which was started by Stratford based Harry Potter and Game of Thrones actor David Bradley.
David also portrays a character with dementia in Ricky Gervais' hit show After Life. He plays Ricky's character's dad Tony, who has dementia and lives in a care home. David's After Life experiences gave him insight into the difficulties those living with dementia face, and the impact dementia has on families, which led him to support Alzheimer's Society.
Around 700 people from across Coventry and Warwickshire participated in the walk, choosing either a 1.5km or 5.5km route. In the hour-and-a-half it takes to complete the average Memory Walk, 30 people develop dementia in the UK, and across Warwickshire more than 7,700 people are estimated to be living with dementia today. The Alzheimer's Society is committed to spending at least £150 million over the next decade on dementia research to improve care for people today and find a cure for tomorrow.
Over £7 million was raised from last year's Memory Walks, and it is hoped that even more is made this year. Band Hatton Button is currently totting up its fundraising totals.
The Wills, Trusts & Probate Team are all Dementia Friends, an Alzheimer's Society initiative, along with another 25 people from across the firm. The firm hopes to continue with this training over the coming months.
Memory Walks are taking part all over the UK, or you can organise your own. For more information on Memory Walks please go to https://www.memorywalk.org.uk/