Mark is a person we support at Springvale Resource Centre, part of National Care Group, in Middleton Manchester, and he has been on a mission over the past few months to raise awareness and valuable funds for Alzheimer’s Society, a cause close to his heart.
Springvale Resource Centre is a specialist neurological care service providing residential support for adults following a brain injury or with a neurological condition.
With the help of his support team, Mark signed up for the 5km Memory Walk that took place in Heaton Park in Manchester on 8th October 2023.
As a result, Mark has raised an incredible £440 for the charity whose purpose is to fund faster diagnosis, ongoing support, and vital research, helping people with dementia live more fulfilled lives now and in the future.
On the day of the memory walk, Mark and two members of his support team, Julie and Wendy, set off early in the morning ready to complete the 5km challenge.
They all had a sausage butty before the walk to keep them going on their challenge.
Along the way they were able to soak up the beautiful and historical scenery of Heaton Park.
Mark says:
“I feel really proud of myself for achieving the walk and raising the money for Alzheimer's Society, it’s such a great cause.
I love supporting good causes and I love walking.
I look forward to doing it again next year and appreciate the support of the team at Springvale in making it possible."
Julie, Senior Support Worker say’s:
“Mark has done a lot of walking since coming to Springvale.
We often go on long walks and Mark’s favourite place is Alkrington Woods where we sit and have lunch by the river. Mark says it’s good for the mind and body, and I completely agree.”
Wendy, Registered Manager at Springvale say’s
“I am incredibly proud of what Mark has achieved, he has come such a long way in developing his independence since coming to Springvale and it was a pleasure to support him in completing the memory walk.
Mark loves walking and getting involved with activities and we love supporting him in accessing the community to do so.
He is part of a walking group at nearby local community hub called The Lighthouse Project who meet every Friday to go on walks and then have a quiz on their return.
Mark’s interaction and engagement with others has grown so much over the last 12 months.
The memory walk was a lovely way for Mark to meet and support local people, and to bring them together to raise funds for a vital cause.”
Memory Walk events are a series of sponsored walks held in September and October across the UK.
The aim of the walks are to bring thousands of people together to walk for a future "where dementia no longer devastates lives”