Plenty of support for memory walk

Bad weather wasn't enough to stop around 120 people taking part in the annual Alzheimers Memory Walk on Saturday.

Wendy Paterson, manager of Alzheimers Whanganui said people of all ages donned their Memory Walk purple tee shirts and walked from the River Traders Market to the Dublin Street Bridge and back to help to raise awareness of dementia.

The walk was followed by a free sausage sizzle provided by staff from Ray White.

"Memory Walks provide an opportunity to remember family members and friends they know or have known, living with dementia and to show their support for family, whanau and carers," Mrs Paterson said.

She said the organisation received $800 in sponsorship from local businesses and around $1000 was raised on the day. Funds raised will be spent locally on support services.

"Alzheimers Whanganui would like to see even more people taking part in this wonderful community awareness event next year," Mrs Paterson said.

"We'd also like to give a big thank you to everyone who braved the rain and took part and to our major sponsors - Russell Duggan, Les Wilson and Deborah Hipango from Ray White Wanganui."

This is the second year the event has been held in Whanganui.

Mrs Paterson said Alzheimers Wanganui assists about 160 people living with dementia, and their carers.