The Mayor of Leighton-Linslade, Cllr Clive Palmer, and Mayoress, Rosie Palmer, joined residents, their families and employees at Carey Lodge residential home in Wing, run by The Fremantle Trust, for a special Memory Walk on Friday 21st September, which marked World Alzheimer’s Day.

Set up by the Alzheimer’s Society, Memory Walks enable fundraising towards vital dementia research, while encouraging people to come together and enjoy a pleasant walk and the opportunity to chat along the way.

Dementia currently affects around 850,000 people in the UK - mainly those over the age of 65. September is World Alzheimer’s Month and is an annual platform to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia.

The one mile stroll started at Carey Lodge and meandered down Church Street, along Wing High Street and finished at All Saints Church, where refreshments were laid out for all to enjoy.

Regular walks are incorporated into the stimulating range of activities at Carey Lodge and garden strolls are a particular favourite of residents at the service. Walking is beneficial for health and wellbeing, to strengthen muscles and bones, improve balance and boost confidence and mood.

Sue Faulkner, leisure and lifestyle manager at The Fremantle Trust, commented:

Walking is particularly beneficial to those living with dementia as it is both physically and emotionally stimulating and it’s great for the senses when we stop to touch and smell flowers along the way. The walk was a lovely way for everyone to chat and reminisce while taking in the sights and sounds of our local community.

Clare Hedge, manager of Carey Lodge, said:

We were thrilled to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress to our special Memory Walk as it’s really important to us to develop strong links with our local community. We are all passionate about supporting dementia awareness so the walk was an enjoyable way to do this.

The Mayor of Leighton-Linslade added:

It was a great pleasure to be able to participate in this event for such a good cause and to meet the residents of Carey Lodge who were having a great time on the walk.