A SEVEN-year-old girl has completed a seven-mile walk to support her nana who has dementia and who the youngster hasn’t been able to see due to lockdown restrictions.
Orla Collard, from Little Thorpe, near Peterlee, County Durham, completed the walk in Castle Eden Dene for charity Alzheimer’s Society and her nana Christine Jameson.
Alongside her mum Emma, dad Jonny and dog Raisin, she walked from her nana’s old home to her new care home, and hid stones painted with Forget-Me-Nots, used in Alzheimer’s Society’s logo, along the route.
She was motivated to take on the Memory Walk after expressing that she missed her nana, who she has not been able to see due to lockdown restrictions.
The youngster has joined thousands of determined Alzheimer’s Society supporters, all conquering their own walking challenges throughout March to raise vital funds for the UK’s leading dementia charity.
The youngster, who has now raised over £1,150, said: “My nana is poorly with a disease that makes her say silly things and forget my name.
“I love my nana Christine very much, but I miss her lots because she is in a care home now and Boris said we can’t go visit because of the coronavirus and them nasty germs that make her more sick.
“I can’t wait to see my nana again in the care home and give her a really big snuggle and a squeeze. I love her.”
Her mum said: “Orla has been absolutely amazing, by sharing her story she has raised over £1,150 to help support those living with this cruel disease.
“The sun shined all day long, we shared memories from my childhood and turned them into new memories for Orla.
“The walk, our chats, the forget-me-not stones, she totally smashed it – she is our little inspiration!”
Her commitment comes at a critical time for those affected by dementia, as they have been worst hit by Covid-19 in terms of deaths, both from the virus and knock-on effects of lockdown - thousands have seen their health deteriorate and mental health decline as a result of having little social contact and interruptions to essential care and support.
Thousands of family carers have also been in complete despair because of care home visitor bans and a lack of respite.
Danielle Cooper, area manager for the North-East, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has been devastating for families affected by dementia.
"People with dementia need us now more than ever, but the pandemic has hit us hard financially, despite an unprecedented demand for our services.
“We want to thank Orla and everyone taking part in a walking event for us across the North-East.
"Money raised will help Alzheimer’s Society reach and support more people through our vital services, like the Dementia Connect support line, which has been used almost three million times in the UK since March 2020.
“We are in awe of the resilience of supporters like Orla, whose dedication to fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society ensures that we are able to support those who need it most during this difficult period.”
To take part in a trek or Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s Society, visit alzheimers.org.uk/events to sign up today.
You can support Orla’s fundraising efforts at: https://bit.ly/3qMtJgs
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