Alzheimer's memory walk to take place in Waterford

The fifth annual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk will take place nationwide next month and two of the events will be held in Waterford.

The walks will take place on Sunday, September 22, and the organisers said they look like being the largest combined memory walk to-date.

Éilís Cantwell, from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, is urging the people of Waterford to register now at www.memorywalk.ie and walk in one of the Waterford Memory Walks which will take place on the Waterford Greenway and in Dungarvan.

Commenting on the initiative, Éilis said: "It is going to be a great day to get together and walk with and for loved ones who are living with dementia and to remember loved ones who are sadly no longer with us."

"It is a chance to share memories and create new ones together and is such a lovely event for everyone who attends," she said.

She is encouraging people across the Déise to register through www.memorywalk.ie and join with her at on September 22, at the Waterford Greenway at SETU Arena, Carriganore (X91XD96) at 11am.

"Alternatively, people can sign up for the Dungarvan Memory Walk, if that location is closer to you," she said.

This year's walks are supported by Payzone, and the overall aim of the initiative will be to raise awareness and funds for those living with dementia. 

Registered participants will receive an Alzheimer’s Memory Walk Participant Pack including a t-shirt and a special pack of Forget Me Not flower seeds to sow at home to help create an annual memory each time the flowers bloom. 

Adult registration will cost €20 and a child’s pack will be €5.

The Memory Walk honours, remembers, and celebrates the 64,000 people in Ireland living with dementia, along with their families and carers. 

Last year, 3,500 walkers participated in Memory Walk and raised over €120,000 which helped fund vital services for people with dementia including Daycare, Daycare at Home, Family Carer Training, Social Clubs, Cafés, and a National Helpline.