Following the continued success of Newport’s annual Walk for Dementia; Newport County AFC and Newport Live will once again be teaming up to host the walk in 2022.
In April this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing measures, the walk was held ‘virtually’ with participants being encouraged to take part at any point during April and complete ‘3k Your Way’. Despite the challenging circumstances, participants raised over £8,500 (including gift aid) for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru.
Due to this success, next year fundraisers will also be able to continue to walk ‘3k Your Way’ and people may commit to walking 3k every Sunday, every day or even run the 3k at any point during April 2022. The official 3k walk will take place on 24th April.
With an estimated 2,000 people living with dementia in Newport, and 50,000 people living with dementia in Wales, the money raised from the walk will make a real difference to supporting families affected by the disease. This also support’s Newport’s commitment to being dementia-friendly city, helping to reduce the stigma associated with dementia, and helping those living with the condition feel confident, understood and supported as a valuable part of society in their local community.
Jess Bowring Community Fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru said “It’s so moving that so many people came together in such challenging circumstances to honour or remember their loved ones and raise much needed funds for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru. The pandemic has been catastrophic for people affected by dementia, with Alzheimer’s Society’s services across the UK, like our Dementia Connect support line, being used over six million times since lockdown began in March 2020.
Every pound raised by Newport’s Walk for Dementia will help support the 50,000 people in Wales living with dementia, improve care, fund research and create lasting change. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Newport Walk for Dementia such a brilliant success and we are really looking forward to 2022.”
Newport County AFC director Kevin Ward said: “We’re excited to be continuing our partnership with Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and Newport Live to bring the Newport Walk for Dementia back for another year.
"Last year's fundraising eclipsed the first event, which was a fantastic effort considering participants weren't able to walk together due to Covid restrictions.
"There is an important debate taking place around the potential links between football and dementia, and it is right that County, as a professional football club, support efforts to help organisations like Alzheimer’s Society Cymru to raise both awareness and funds."
John Harrhy, Chair for Newport Live said “I’d like to give a huge thank you and well done to everyone who took part in this year’s walk and who raised money for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru.
“We look forward to having even more participants in 2022 with people able to walk 3k their way, or join us for the walk around Newport on April 24th. We’re so grateful to everyone who takes part and are so pleased to once again be working with Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and Newport County AFC to help raise vital funds and support those affected by dementia.”
More details on Newport Walk for Dementia 2022 including how to join will be shared early next year.
