A NURSE who works with dementia patients has been inspired to set up a 'Memory Walk' on Walney for the first time in several years.
Jade Marshall, 31, of Black Butts Lane, Walney, is welcoming people to a special trek around the island in aid of the Alzheimer's Society.
RELATED ARTICLE: Mum 'very proud' of her daughter’s charity walk
Already more than 100 people have registered their interest in the event, which starts on Sunday at 10am.
Fundraising effort
There are two routes for participants, a seven-mile loop of the island and a two-mile street circuit, ideal for parents and children.
Both walks will start and finish at Walney Community Centre in Central Drive.
Miss Marshall, who works at the Ramsay Unit in Barrow, which cares for people with dementia, said she wanted to set an official Memory Walk up locally as the next nearest one held every year is in Carlisle
She said: "When I looked online there wasn't one in this area.
"A few people have said they are going to Manchester for a Memory Walk as there's nothing round here.
"We have all the cancer walks but nothing for anybody with dementia.
"It's close to my heart so I decided to organise one."
Family fun
The first event Memory Walk in Barrow for the Alzheimer's Society took place in 2011 and Miss Marshall feels it's about time it returned.
People wanting to take part need to register online here and then pay a £5 participation fee on the day. Sponsorship forms are also available.
The seven-mile route will take walkers from Central Drive to the Promenade, through North Scale, along the coastal path, onto Biggar Bank Road and back to the start via Black Butts Lane.
View route map for 7mile Alzheimer's Society Charity Walk on plotaroute.com
The two-mile route will see participants turn east when reaching the junction with the Promenade, and then travel along Ocean Road, Black Butts Lane and to the end of Sandy Gap and back.
View route map for 2 Mile Alzheimer's Society Walk on plotaroute.com
After the walk, a family fun day will take place at Walney Community Centre, with stalls and a bouncy castle set up in the hall from 11am until 3pm.
Other highlights will include a bake sale, face painting and tombola.
The Memory Walk events are part of a fundraising drive for the Alzheimer's Society, with the money going towards supporting people living with dementia and their families.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here