While many challenges focus on reaching personal goals, the most rewarding challenges are those that help support a cause greater than ourselves. Whether it’s walking, running, cycling, swimming, or taking on an endurance challenge, each step becomes more purposeful when it’s dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others.
This year, we took on a challenge for dementia awareness and fundraising, not just to test our own limits, but to support the millions of people affected by dementia and the families who care for them every day.
The challenge? To walk 62 miles in October.
Why Dementia UK
Dementia is more than memory loss. It is a complex condition that affects thinking, communication, behaviour, and the ability to carry out everyday activities. For those living with dementia, every day can bring new challenges. For families and caregivers, it can be an emotional journey filled with uncertainty, patience and love.
Many people still misunderstand dementia, assuming it is simply a normal part of ageing. In reality, dementia is a medical condition that affects individuals differently and requires understanding, support and ongoing research.
Dementia is often referred to as a hidden condition because many of the symptoms aren’t immediately obvious, especially during the early stages. Changes in memory, communication or decision-making often happen slowly and many people develop coping strategies to help them manage everyday challenges, making the condition difficult to recognise at first.
Across the world, millions of people are living with dementia, and the number continues to grow. Whether someone has received a diagnosis or is still living with unexplained symptoms, they remain a person with a lifetime of memories, experiences and relationships that deserve to be cherished and supported.
That’s why we chose to walk 62 miles in October, in support of Dementia UK. Dementia UK invests in specialist dementia nurses, supports families and helps ensure that no one faces dementia alone.
The Inspiration Behind The Challenge
Many of us have seen the impact of dementia firsthand, through a parent, grandparent, friend, neighbour, or colleague. Watching someone gradually struggle with memories and daily tasks can be heartbreaking. Yet, amidst those difficult moments, we often witness incredible resilience, compassion and strength.
This challenge was dedicated to everyone affected by dementia – the individuals living with the condition, the families providing care, and the healthcare professionals working tirelessly to improve lives.
Every mile covered, every step taken and every donation received was a way of saying: you are not forgotten, and you are not facing this journey alone.
Our Goals
One of the most important goals of this challenge was raising awareness about dementia.
By sharing stories, experiences and information, we can help create communities that are more compassionate and dementia-friendly. Awareness helps reduce stigma and encourages people to seek support earlier.
We also wanted to raise funds so that families affected by dementia can get the specialist help and advice they need.
- A £10 donation can cover the telephone costs of two families seeking support through Dementia UK’s free Helpline.
- £33 could fund an hour with a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse, helping a family with practical solutions and emotional support.
THE FOOTSTEPS
Week 1 (Miles 1-13): The momentum built.
We’d kicked off with enthusiasm and clocked 3 miles on day 1 so were quietly confident that the challenge was going to be a breeze. Little did we know, Storm Amy was about to make an appearance! The walks changed from nice easy strolls around the local park to puddle dodging and hopping over broken branches.
Week 2 (Miles 14-21): A slow start to the week.
Food poisoning hit – and it hit hard! Suddenly, our ambitious strides were replaced by bed rest and endless trips to the bathroom. Do those steps count? We did wonder… Then the realisation kicked in that the challenge wasn’t going to complete itself and it was time to catch up on those steps! So we stepped it up a level and did our first 7 mile walk.
Week 3 (Miles 22-48): The challenge deepened.
We knew we had some serious catching up to do and had other commitments scheduled for the following week, so it was time to get stuck in! And that’s exactly what we did. We took on three 7 mile walks and two smaller 3 mile walks. A total of 27 miles in one week! Safe to say, we slept well that week.
Week 4 (Miles 49-53): The weather changed.
Good old British weather! So we postponed some of the walks that we had planned but still managed to squeeze in a cheeky 5 miler towards the end of the week.
Week 5 (Miles 54-64): The final countdown.
With just 9 miles left to, we decided to complete the challenge in style by doing a b-i-g walk and covering all 9 miles in one go. Ambitious much? Yes, we thought so too! But we’re not scared of hard work, so we donned our walking boots and headed out. Infact, we got a little carried away and clocked up a few extra miles that day – and it had absolutely nothing to do with us conveniently ending the journey at a local pub. Honestly…
You can find photos from the walks over on our Instagram page.
WHAT THIS CHALLENGE MEANT TO US
So we got to the finish line (and a little beyond) but this challenge meant more to us than simply completing the steps. More importantly, we took a journey of connection, awareness and compassion.
For Dementia UK, those funds matter.
For people affected by dementia, the message matters: you are not alone.
For our team, the journey mattered.
Taking on a physical or personal challenge is never easy. There are early mornings, tired legs, moments of doubt and days when motivation is hard to find. But compared to the daily challenges faced by people living with dementia and their loved ones, these obstacles felt small.
Knowing that each step contributed to raising awareness and support for dementia provided the motivation to keep moving forward and reminded us that meaningful change often begins with small actions.
One step leads to another.
One conversation raises awareness.
One donation helps fund vital research and support services.
…
Together, those small actions can create a significant impact.
This journey was about more than completing a challenge. It was about honouring loved ones, supporting families and helping build a future where fewer people have to face the devastating effects of dementia.
WHAT WE ACHIEVED
One of the most inspiring parts of any fundraising challenge is seeing people come together for a common cause.
Friends, family members, colleagues and even strangers often rally around a shared goal. Their encouragement provides strength during difficult moments and reminds us that positive change is possible when people unite behind something meaningful.
Every message of support, every share on social media and every donation becomes part of a larger movement dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by dementia.
Together, we raised £703, which will help support efforts to:
- Fund research into treatments and potential cures
- Provide support services for people living with dementia
- Assist family members and caregivers
- Increase awareness and education within communities
- Improve quality of life for those affected by dementia
Together, we raised enough to cover the telephone costs for 140 families seeking support through Dementia UK’s free Helpline, or over 20 hours of funding for dementia specialist Admiral Nurses to help families with practical solutions and emotional support.
So here’s to every step we took – and to the steps we’ll keep taking. Because when we walk together, we don’t just cover miles: we open conversations, build connections and make a difference.
A huge thank you to everyone who walked, donated, cheered, shared – and most importantly, those living with dementia and their families. We walked for you. We walked with you. And we’ll keep walking.
Want To Get Involved?
If you’ve been inspired by our 62-mile October walk, consider starting your own challenge.
- Gather colleagues, friends, family.
- Choose a cause.
- Pick a target.
- Track your progress.
- Share your story.
Every mile becomes a message. Every step becomes support.
Together, we can make a difference.