A devoted family, who have experienced the devastating impact of dementia first-hand, are set to join hundreds of fundraisers going the extra mile for Alzheimer’s Society at Coventry Memory Walk. Andy Norris who cares for his wife Kim, is donning his walking boots together with his family at Coventry Memory Walk on 9 October 2022 and is encouraging others to join them at the historic War Memorial Park, Coventry to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity.
Andy (64) and his wife Kim, who live in Warwickshire, are set to join thousands of fundraisers going the extra mile for Alzheimer’s Society. He said: “My wife Kim was diagnosed with Posterior Cortical Atrophy (a rare form of dementia) last year at 63, and Memory Walk is something we as a family can all do with Kim, to both raise awareness and hopefully some funds for vital research and support for others”.
“Kim worked in a variety of administration roles prior to her diagnosis, whilst juggling bringing up her two sons. For the previous 23 years, she had worked for the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital Saturday Fund, a well-known organisation in the City.
Kim struggled to embrace the new technology of pop ups, spread sheets, and call centre style working, and she decided to leave. Looking back, some of this was probably because of her eyesight problems and the early stages of her form of Alzheimer’s.
Prior to 2020, Kim had only ever been into hospital twice in her life, and that was to give birth to her son's, now 41 and 43 years old, but now it feels like we have our own parking slot.”
Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people in Coventry and Warwickshire to join Coventry Memory Walk this month, to help people affected by dementia through some of the hardest and most frightening times. Memory Walk will bring together people who have been personally affected by dementia, those who want to walk to remember a loved one, and people looking to raise money for charity.
Janice Le Tellier, Alzheimer’s Society Area Manager Warwickshire, said: “We are in awe of our amazing fundraisers like Andy and his family who go above and beyond to raise vital funds and awareness for the over 3,900 people in Coventry and 8,900 across Warwickshire living with dementia.
"Every step our fundraisers take will to help us provide a lifeline of support for as many people affected by dementia as possible. We can’t wait to see walkers of all ages and abilities at Coventry’s War Memorial Park this autumn and I would call on family, friends and colleagues from across Coventry and Warwickshire to put their best foot forward to support this vital cause.”
Hundreds of walkers have already registered to take part in Coventry Memory Walk, which will be on October 9 at the War Memorial Park, Coventry. Supporters can also opt to walk on their own, or with loved ones, on the paths, pavements, parks or pebbles in a location of their choosing throughout September.
Memory Walk events have been a regular fixture in the Autumn calendar for over 10 years, seeing half a million walkers raise over £41 million for Alzheimer’s Society.
