TeamAlzScot staff step up to Do it for Dementia

Many staff across Alzheimer Scotland have been stepping up and taking part in our virtual events series Do it for Dementia and we could not be prouder of them all. From running challenges to walking, cycling, home fitness and personal challenges, our wonderful staff have been getting creative to fundraise for the people living with dementia and their carers in Scotland.

We share a few of those staff going the extra mile for our Do it for Dementia campaign below.

Marion MacInnes, Locality Leader for Alzheimer Scotland in the Western Isles is taking part in the 2.6 challenge by setting herself a personal weight loss goal. By June 2020, Marion aims to lose 2 stone 6lbs to mark Dementia Awareness Week.

Marion shared her experience of working for Alzheimer Scotland and said “I am aware of the amazing work that goes on in my own team locally and the wider teams nationally to support people living with dementia and their families. Like all charities Covid-19 has had, and will continue to have a profound effect on our local planned fundraising events. We have all been determined to keep going as best as we can through Covid-19 to still make sure we are supporting people”.

Marion is benefiting physically and mentally from the challenge and said that support from friends, family and colleagues has been a big motivator. Another level of support has come from the people living with dementia and their families that Marion supports in her role at Alzheimer Scotland.

When deciding to take part in a virtual event Marion recommends choosing something achievable that will give you a lot of satisfaction and reward from completing it and knowing that you have contributed to the lives of people living with dementia in Scotland.

Thank you Marion and good luck!

Want to support Marion? Visit her Just Giving page here

Lorna Hart-Thomson - Burpees challenge

Lorna Hart-Thomson, Dementia Advisor for Alzheimer Scotland in Lanarkshire has found a unique way to support Alzheimer Scotland whilst connecting with her neighbours (at a safe distance) during lockdown.

Lorna and her neighbours have pledged to complete one burpee for every £1 donated on their Just Giving page. To prepare them, Lorna has been hosting socially distanced morning fitness classes every day at 07:00. The group have found this to be a fantastic way to connect with each other during a difficult time and allows them to exercise before a busy day of working and childcare.

Aside from being neighbours, Lorna shares something in common with them; they all know someone living with dementia and want to support the over 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland.

Lorna, Elena, Donna, Yvonne and Moira completed their challenge on the 19^th May. Raising £320.00 so far, the group completed a gruelling 320 burpees.

Alzheimer Scotland are so thankful for the dedication and commitment they have shown.

There’s still time to support the group on their Just Giving page here

Fiona Kane- 40km to celebrate 40 years of Alzheimer Scotland

Fiona Kane, Locality Lead in Renfrewshire is lacing up her trainers to support Alzheimer Scotland.

Fiona began her career with Alzheimer Scotland in 2011 and like many colleagues, she has a personal connection with dementia and understands the challenges it can bring. Fiona tells us

“I feel privileged to work in an organisation where I have an opportunity to make a positive difference to people's lives every day. Alzheimer Scotland action on dementia was formed in 1980 and this year marks our 40th anniversary. I wanted to do something to raise awareness of this and much needed funds to support our work”.

Originally signed up to run 4 10km races across the country, due to the pandemic Fiona has had to adapt and is now running virtually in her local area.

Even more ambitiously, Fiona is calling out for 40 others to join her to celebrate Alzheimer Scotland’s 40^th year collectively.

Fiona has completed her first run on the 17^th May and is gearing up for her next one.

If you’d like to support Fiona visit her Just Giving page here

Helen Hollywood – 10k walk

Helen Hollywood, a Dementia Advisor for Alzheimer Scotland has pledged to walk 10k to fundraise and raise awareness of people living with dementia during lockdown.

As a Dementia Advisor Helen knows firsthand how the support Alzheimer Scotland provides can help people with dementia and their families. Helen explains that “Lockdown has been difficult for everyone but imagine if you had no insight into why or how, and no amount of explanation will help”.

In addition to Helen supporting Alzheimer Scotland, she has benefited greatly from exercising to help her get through the days during a difficult time, both physically and mentally. Helen has been enjoying her walks so much that she’s been able to walk 10k almost every day since starting the challenge.

Helen, we applaud you and admire your determination.

Support Helen by donating to her Just Giving page here

Gayle Morrison- 50 mile run

Gayle Morrison, a Post Diagnostic Support Link Worker in Stirling and Clackmannanshire has decided to sign up to our Do it for Dementia virtual event with a running challenge.

Gayle had set herself an ambitious target to run 50 miles by the end of May in aid of Alzheimer Scotland. The decision to run this distance coincides with Gayle celebrating her birthday when she’ll turn 50. However, as Gayle is making good progress towards her target, she has decided to push herself even further by running an incredible 500 miles by the end of the year and will continue to fundraise throughout her mighty challenge.

Keep going Gayle we are all rooting for you!

Support Gayle too via her Just Giving page here

Angi Inch- 500 mile walk (and 500 more)

Angi Inch is a Dementia Advisor with Alzheimer Scotland and has once again decided to support the charity by setting herself a walking challenge along with her husband Will.

In 2018 the pair completed a sponsored walk and fundraised for Alzheimer Scotland. The challenge involves Angi walking 500 miles, with her husband following in her footsteps by also walking the same distance. To ramp up the challenge this year, they have both pledged to walk a further 500 miles each, totaling 2,000 miles!

Angi and Will are supporting Alzheimer Scotland and Dementia Dogs; an innovative partnership project between Alzheimer Scotland and Dogs for Good, which provides assistance dogs to people living with dementia in Scotland.

You can keep up with Angi and Will by following their Facebook blog and if you’d like to donate to their Just Giving page visit here

Good luck Angi and Will, we’re all singing The Proclaimers with you!