18th September is Alzheimer’s Memory Walk Day

Comedian Neil Delamere and beauty expert and entrepreneur Pamela Laird invite the public to make every step count for the third successive Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, supported by Irish Life, which is taking place nationwide on Sunday 18th September, during World Alzheimer’s Month.

Alzheimer’s Memory Walk is a family-friendly event suitable for all ages and abilities to unite together with their families and communities to raise awareness and funds for dementia supports. The ASI hopes that 3,000 walkers across Ireland will help raise €250,000 for vital services that help to support so many people with dementia and their family carers across Ireland.

An estimated 2,078 people live with dementia in Meath, and 64,000 people live with dementia in Ireland which will more than double in the next 25 years to over 150,000 by 2045.

Walk with your household, family, friends and pets; it’s guaranteed to be a fun event. You can choose where you walk, whether your back garden or the local park – remember, on Sunday 18th September – Let’s Walk Together. There are only a few weeks left for participants to receive their packs. Family-friendly prices are €8 for kids and €20 for adults.

ASI ambassador Delamere said: "Alzheimer's and dementia is a huge issue for our society. The ASI really relies on funds to keep its supports and services going such as day care, home care, dementia advisers, family carer training, Alzheimer Cafes and social clubs. As demand continues to increase, so does the pressure on these support services; every day, at least 30 people are diagnosed with dementia in Ireland – even people in their 30s/40s/50s. We can all lend a hand and support this important fundraising campaign so more people who are living with dementia in our communities can access the supports and services they need."

Pamela Laird has shared her family connection with dementia as her father, Sylvester, was diagnosed with dementia in 2016. The Dublin-based entrepreneur has said while the family started noticing changes with her father as far back as 2010, the dementia diagnosis was still very challenging for them all to deal with – especially when the pandemic. The former 'Dragon's Den' and 'Apprentice' contestant wants to spotlight dementia during World Alzheimer’s Month and encourage others to reach out for support – like a member of her family did when they completed the ASI’s family carer training course. Pamela is doing the walk with her mother Yvonne and her Chihuahua, Tallulah, and wants others to do the same.

Irish Life staff charities committee member John Roberts said: "Irish Life is honoured to support the Memory Walk, the flagship event in 2022 for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Some of our team at Irish Life have first-hand experience of the effects that Alzheimer’s can have on us, and our loved ones. This was a key reason why we chose The Alzheimer Society of Ireland as one of our Irish Life Staff Charities for 2022. We hope to bring the power of our support to this wonderful event, so that Irish Life can play a small part to help deliver vital benefits to those who live with and support people with dementia in Ireland."

THREE EASY STEPS TO WALK TOGETHER