Recently, a ‘Memory Walk’ was organised in Felixstowe to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Society in support of those living with dementia.
Over 50 walkers joined the fundraising event where Sharon Harkin, Deputy Mayor of Felixstowe, on behalf of Felixstowe’s Memory Lane Dementia Support Group, kicked off the day with a few words before joining the walkers, alongside her dog Stanley, on the journey from the River of Life Church to Felixstowe Pier.
The walkers were all colourfully dressed and adorned with musical instruments. Alan, who organized the event explained on his megaphone that the group were walking “united for a world without dementia” before the group continued to Cobbold Point, via The Spa Gardens, and returned via the same route.
Alan was walking with his wife Georgina, living with dementia. Devoted to his wife, Alan shared the fantastic life of Georgina who started her career working at the Clerical and Medical General and Life Assurance Society in London when she first left school. She then nursed at Central Middlesex Hospital before marrying Alan and moving to Ipswich in 1969. For a time, she did private secretarial work and after raising two daughters, who both attended the walk, she returned to nursing, mostly on Haughley Ward, at Ipswich Hospital.
Georgina spent many, many years in the Girl’s Brigade and was chosen to be in the honour guard at the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday parade on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral. She also took girls to perform live in ‘displays’ on the floor of the Royal Albert Hall.
Georgina was later diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s (Dementia) in 2014 and has been bravely living with the advancing disease. Her husband Alan, and a team of ten incredible ladies based largely at Rushmere Baptist Church, take care of her. Both Alan and Georgina have always loved Felixstowe and often walk there, more often than not from Landguard Fort towards Cobbold Point.
Sharon said: “Oftentimes, when someone is diagnosed with dementia the disease is all people see, however people like Georgina are more than their dementia, as you can see from her many adventures.”
The Memory Walk was supported by East of England’s Co-op, Santander and the River of Life Church and, to date, has reached a staggering £800 (nearly). Alan has raised a further £700 for Alzheimer’s Research UK and will continue to raise funds up to Georgina’s 80th birthday on November 9.
There are over 12,000 people living with dementia in Suffolk, that we know of, and every one of those people and their families need our support to live well with dementia for as long as possible and feel a part of their local community.
For further information about the Memory Lane Café and support group in Felixstowe, please contact Sally Gallant: sallyjag@hotmail.co.uk / 07526 216667
