This Is Guernsey

Paths from Chouet to Saumarez Park were pounded by more than 1,000 feet on Sunday as the Alzheimer’s Society’s annual Memory Walk attracted record number of entries. Joel de Woolfson sums up its most successful event yet. Pictures by Adrian Miller ISLANDERS turned out in force for Sunday’s Memory Walk, believed to be one of the most successful in the UK-wide event’s history.

More than 500 took part and vital funds were raised for both the Alzheimer’s Society and the Maison Million Home Appeal.

This year’s had something extra special about it.

Walkers were given the chance to donate their sponsorship money either to the society or the Maison Million Appeal: an incredibly generous offer by the people behind the Guernsey branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, who have vigorously supported the appeal to raise the £1m. needed for building work to start on a new 29-bed dementia care unit next to Maison L’Aumone.

‘We were pleased to help,’ said honorary secretary of the society, Helen Martin.

‘The project is so necessary and will be a tremendous help to so many people.

‘We are here to support carers and people who suffer from the disease and we feel that the project will do both those things.’

She said society members had worked very hard to organise the walk - its biggest annual fund-raiser - and were delighted with its success.

‘So many people have turned up and it’s quite humbling when you think about it.’She added that Alzheimer’s and dementia affected many islanders’ lives.

‘Even people who haven’t been affected know of the problems the disease can cause families.’

Laura Charlwood walked for the Maison Million Appeal and said it was important because dementia was a growing problem.

‘I wanted to support the appeal because I think the project is going to be really worthwhile,’ said the 21-year-old.

‘No one in my family has ever suffered from dementia, thankfully, but one of my friends’ dad suffers so I know how awful the illness is.

‘I also think it was very generous of the Alzheimer’s Society to give people the opportunity to donate their sponsorship to the Maison Million Appeal, because this event is usually the society’s best way of raising funds for the work it does in the island.’

Sylvia Morvan took part with her daughter, Alissa, and colleagues from Rothschild Trust. She was walking for Maison Million.

‘It’s so important and will provide great support for the island as a whole,’ she said.

‘There has been a tremendous amount of support for the appeal so far and I really hope that continues. The walk was great fun. It was our first time, but we’ll be back next year.’

Becca Bain, 26, said the event was a great way to raise awareness.

‘The more people who take part, the more people become aware of the disease,’ she said.

‘And that can only be a good thing.

‘The Alzheimer’s Society does so much good work in the island. They help take the strain off carers and sufferers and I think it’s important to try and support their work.

‘I was so impressed with how many people took part and there was a really good, fun atmosphere.’

A six-woman team from HSBC’s St Sampson’s and Landes du Marche branches raised more than £1,000, which will be doubled by the bank.Team member ‘AB’ Staples took along five-year-old daughter Holly (pictured left), who walked part of the eight-mile course and was carried by mum for the rest of the way.

‘Several staff members’ lives have been touched by dementia,’ explained branch manager Karen Gibson, ’so we felt it was a cause that was very close to our hearts’.

She was thrilled that they had hit their £1,000 target through the generosity of customers and other staff members.

The post-walk event at Saumarez Park kept organising committee members busy as hungry walkers, including members of a 160-strong team from the Royal Bank of Canada, queued for giant burgers and relaxed on the grass to music provided by the Boys’ Brigade Band and musician Colin Falla. Vice-chairman Lady Peggy Cater issued certificates to walkers and among the attractions was a raffle and tombola stall.

Alzheimer’s Society member Clare de la Rue and husband Nigel were kept on their toes behind the barbeque.

Clare, who was cooking for the fourth year running, thought the event had gone very well. ‘I think it’s great that this year people can choose where the money goes.

‘The society has helped my family so much. My mum, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, goes to the centre every week and the difference it makes to my dad to know that he will have a break for

three hours is amazing.’

Mrs Martin paid tribute to sponsors including Forest Stores, Checkers and the Co-op, who had donated goods for the event.