Participants in a previous Memory Walk.
PICTURE / SUPPLIED
Participants in a previous Memory Walk.
PICTURE / SUPPLIED
On Saturday, September 23, Alzheimers Whanganui is organising a riverside walk to raise funds as part of World Alzheimers Month and is to raise funds and awareness of the condition.
Registration of $5 gets the participant an Alzheimers T-shirt, otherwise a gold coin donation is enough to be part ofthe Memory Walk.
This is the third year the walk has been part of the Alzheimer's programme and it has proved to be popular. "We're hoping people will vote, clear their heads of the election stuff and come and have a lovely walk in the sun," says Alzheimers Whanganui manager Wendy Paterson.
Sharon Winduss, office manager, says it was good to see families getting involved last year. "We had people coming in saying they wanted to do this for their grandparents. We encourage people to come here [to the office] to get T-shirts so they will know where we are."
Alzheimers office is at Suite 5, 136 Victoria Ave, in the arcade which includes Barber Town. "We'd like people to register for health and safety reasons, and also so we know approximately how many are coming, so we know how many people we need along the way."
The walk is from Rivertraders' Markets to Dublin St Bridge and back again. "We're just happy for people to come out and show their support."
Sport Whanganui has offered to supply volunteers to man the route. Les Wilson and people from Ray White Wanganui will be operating a barbecue at the markets after the walk.
As a bonus, if people turn up at Mini Cafe in Drews Ave wearing their purple T-shirts, they will receive a discount on takeaway coffee. "We need to destigmatise Alzheimers," says Wendy. Running through September to November is a quilt raffle at $2 a ticket, with the quilt crafted and donated by Maureen Marshall. "This is the second quilt she has given us," says Wendy.
Memory Walk Saturday, September 23 Assemble at the silver Globe at the Rivertraders Market at 10.15am to begin walk at 10.30am Registration: $5 includes a tee shirt or gold coin donation on the day, children free To register email: admin@alzheimerswhanganui.org.nz Phone: 06) 345 8833 Alzheimer's Whanganui would like all those taking part to register with name and contact details so they have an idea of numbers on the day. Sharon is at the office 9am-3pm, Monday to Friday.
