Award-winning actor and Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador Anne-Marie Duff OBE joined more than a thousand determined trekkers today (Saturday 9th May) to complete an epic 26-mile fundraising trek past London’s most iconic landmarks. The event held personal significance for Anne-Marie, who recently shared that her brother Eddie, who had been living with young-onset dementia, sadly died earlier this year.
With dementia now the UK’s biggest killer, Anne-Marie laced up her walking boots for Alzheimer’s Society’s Trek26 London to stand alongside the one million people living with dementia in the UK and the millions of carers, partners, families, and friends who are left undiagnosed, untreated and unsupported.
Trek26 London marked the second event in Alzheimer’s Society’s popular Trek26 series, which invites supporters to take on either 13 or 26-mile treks in 13 breathtaking location across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Today’s route wound its way past many of the capital’s most famous sights, including the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben.
Ahead of the trek, Anne-Marie spoke about why she was taking part in support of Alzheimer’s Society:
“I’m feeling very excited and proud to be taking part in Trek26 London.
“I’ve had the great privilege of working with Alzheimer’s Society for several years whilst my family and I have been loving and caring for my brother Eddie, as he was walking through his own experience of very early onset dementia. Sadly he passed away earlier this year so I’m choosing to celebrate his life and the lives of other dementia heroes on this trek. Alzheimer’s Society often talks about the need for community in our approach to dealing with this disease and this trek is a beautiful symbol of that – both carers and people living with dementia.
“It’s vital that we create joyful events like this to raise awareness and funds, to find the best care and solutions for diseases like Alzheimer’s which sadly is the UK’s biggest killer. We don’t want anyone to face dementia alone. We can do this together, one step at a time.”
The event comes as Alzheimer’s Society prepares to launch its biggest annual fundraising campaign the Forget Me Not Appeal in June. The campaign raises vital funds to ensure no one faces dementia alone, while also shining a spotlight on the urgent need for better support, understanding and research.
Michelle Dyson, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to Anne-Marie, particularly for her courage in sharing her story, which sadly will resonate with so many people across the country.
“Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, and too many people are facing its devastating impact without the support they need.
“We are hugely thankful to every trekker who trained, prepared and pushed themselves to complete their Trek26 challenge. Every step taken has helped raise crucial funds and awareness, bringing us closer to a world where dementia no longer destroys lives.”
Money raised from Alzheimer’s Society’s Trek26 events will support the charity’s vital services. Funds will also help drive forward campaigns to make dementia the priority it should be and fund pioneering research that brings hope for the future.
