Kildare’s Alzheimer’s Memory Walk to take place at Moore Abbey Forest

The Alzheimer’s Annual Memory Walk takes place at over 30 locations across Ireland, including one area within County Kildare.

The event gives families, friends and those living with dementia the opportunity to come together, honour, celebrate and raise funds for the vital support services that The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) provides.

The Kildare Alzheimer’s Memory Walk will starts at 11am from the carpark of Moore Abbey Forest later this month, for a two kilometre leisurely walk.

Local Champion for the Kildare Branch of the ASI, Annemarie Kett will lead the Kildare Alzheimer’s Memory Walk in Moore Abbey Forest.

Commenting ahead of the event, she said, "I am thrilled to be a Local Champion for the 2023 Alzheimer's Memory Walk. I'm really looking forward to the Moore Abbey Forest Alzheimer's Memory Walk, which should attract large numbers.

"I would encourage everyone around the county of Kildare to support Memory Walk and register now for their participation pack at www.memorywalk.ie."

"Let’s walk together for people living with dementia and their carers across Kildare, and let’s also remember loved ones who are sadly no longer with us and lived with dementia," Annemarie added.

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Mairéad Dillon, Head of Fundraising for the ASI, also said: "The Alzheimer’s Memory Walk for 2023 is set to be our biggest and best to date.

"I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to our partners Payzone who are supporting the event and are in attendance today; with over 30 locations nationwide, there will be a Memory Walk in your locality, and it is the ideal event for the whole family to get together and walk to remember or support a loved one living with dementia.

"We are really looking forward to the event this year in order to get people together supporting people with dementia," she added.  

Also commenting ahead of the event was Michele Ann Kelly of Payzone Ireland, who said: "Payzone is honoured to support the Memory Walk, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s flagship event.

"This campaign is important to us, as it is to many. Every day in Ireland, 30 people develop dementia.

"Unfortunately, many at Payzone have first-hand experience of the effects that Alzheimer's can have on families and loved ones, a reason."

She continued: "The Alzheimer Society of Ireland was voted as one of Payzone’s charity partners by our employees.

"We hope to support this wonderful event as best we can to play a small part as The Alzheimer Society of Ireland continues to provide vital dementia-specific services.

"Funds raised from the Memory Walk will help to keep these services going. The team at Payzone are excited to come together this September, honour and celebrate those with dementia, and raise much-needed funds for continued support.

"We encourage everyone in Ireland to join in on this great cause," Michele Ann concluded.

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According to organsiers, the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk is a family-friendly event suitable for all ages and walking abilities to unite friends, families and communities to raise awareness and funds for dementia supports.

The ASI is aiming to secure over 3,000 walkers across Ireland to participate and help raise funds for vital services that support so many people living with dementia and those who care for them.

These services include: Daycare, Daycare at Home, Family Carer Training, Social Clubs, Cafés, and a National Helpline.     

Organisers added: "An estimated 64,000 people live with dementia in Ireland, which according to leading dementia experts, will more than double in the next 25 years to over 150,000 by 2045."

Members of the public can sign up now to participate in the 2023 Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, which will officially take palce on Sunday, September 24, 2023.

Registrations cost €5 for kids and €18 for adults and include a participation pack with a Memory Walk t-shirt.

The closing date for registrations to receive your participation pack before the walk is 12 noon on Wednesday, September 20.

For those who cannot walk on the day, they can still support the Memory Walk by donating at www.Alzheimer.ie.