Friend and family rally round for Irchester Memory Walk

The event was organised by Irchester woman Gina Hawes, who said she was determined to do something to raise money for and awareness of the disease after losing her nan in April this year.

She said: “My nan suffered from dementia and it was very upsetting as she went downhill very quickly near the end of her life.”

Gina organised the family walk and picnic around Irchester Country Park and word soon spread.

The event took place on Sunday, June 4, and had a purple theme.

She added: “A couple of people brought friends, and friends of friends, and on the day there were about 30 of us, not including a baby and a dog. It was lovely. We chose the perfect day as the sun was shining.

“There were a couple of short speeches and we finished off with a big picnic.”

Gina said the day raised £325 and she is expecting about another £100.

However, her fundraising has not finished, as she has set herself a target of raising £1,000 for Alzheimer’s research.

Gina has lined up a number of 10k and half marathons, and is also plotting another Memory Walk similar to this month’s.

She added: “I started running a couple of years ago on the off-chance I would enjoy it. I did, and I decided I would use it to raise even more.”