Latest news with #AlzheimersSociety
BBC News
20 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Plymouth swimmer to take on English Channel for charity
A long-distance swimmer is on the brink of attempting to achieve a lifelong dream by swimming the English Channel. On Monday morning Lindsey Walke, 49, from Plymouth, said she was waiting for the call from her boat pilot to begin the challenge, a feat that could take up to 13 Walke, a lifelong swimmer, said the Channel swim had been on her bucket list since childhood. "It's the pinnacle for someone who swims, it's taken me until now to have the time, money, and confidence to do it," she told BBC Radio Devon. Last year she completed the 14-mile (23km) Eddystone Lighthouse to Plymouth Hoe swim in just over eight hours, an experience that helped build confidence for the English Channel is roughly 21 miles (34km) in a straight line, but she will need to swim significantly further due to tides and currents. Ms Walke has trained extensively in cold water with sessions lasting up to six hours."The water's around 14C right now," she said. "It's chilly, but I've worked hard on acclimatisation."She is swimming in memory of her late grandmother, who had Alzheimer's, and is raising funds for the Alzheimer's Society."I wanted to do something meaningful and personal," she the physical and mental demands, Ms Walke finds peace in the water. "You get into a zone. It's hard to explain, but you just keep moving. "And if I'm lucky, I might even spot some dolphins along the way."She is now waiting for the go-ahead from the Channel Swimming Association, which co-ordinates crossings, for the swim from Dover to Wissant in France.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lake District charity walking challenge for former York Sheriff's Lady
A former Sheriff's Lady is set to walk 26 miles to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society. Danielle Mason will walk the distance around Ullswater, in the Lake District, this Saturday (May 31). Her father Mark will join her for the feat, known as 'Trek26,' and the pair hope to raise £1,000 for the charity. The grandmother of Danielle, who was diagnosed with dementia five years ago, is serving as inspiration for the challenge. Danielle, who was part of York's civic party in 2021, said: "It has been heartbreaking to see my nana slowly deteriorate. Danielle (centre) outside Mansion House in York with the city's swordbearer and sergeant-at-mace (Image: Supplied) "Medication has slowed down the process but now she struggles to keep conversation and remember what she has been doing. "It has had a huge impact on her husband, who is her main carer. "I want to raise money to help others in the future to get better support, and to help raise the profile of this important charity helping to support research into new treatments." Donations to Danielle's cause can be made at
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Jack Draper vs Gael Monfils: Score and latest updates from French Open
The first factoid people usually quote about Jack Draper is that his father Roger used to be the chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association. But Roger was absent from the player box on Tuesday for Draper's maiden victory at the French Open. Instead, the seats were occupied by Jack's brother Ben, his mother Nicky and his grandfather Chris Entract. There is another family narrative here, running alongside the LTA one, and it relates to the awful illness that has robbed Chris's wife Brenda of her memory. The trauma of her condition has led Jack to become an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society. In December, he organised a 'memory walk' along the banks of the Thames in her honour. To read the full article by the Telegraph Sport tennis correspondent, click here.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More than half of North West adults unaware of common dementia symptom
More than half of adults in the North West are unaware of one of the most common symptoms of dementia. As one in three people living with dementia remain undiagnosed, Alzheimer's Society is highlighting the six key symptoms to look out for. This Dementia Action Week (May 19 to 24), Alzheimer's Society is shining a light on the six most common symptoms of dementia and encouraging people to seek help if they spot these signs in themselves or a loved one. More than 106,000 people are living with dementia in the North West of England and a third of them do not have a diagnosis. Yet, new research by the charity reveals that more than half (61 per cent) of UK adults in the region do not know that problems with vision changes can sometimes be a symptom of dementia – and one in 10 could not name a single common symptom of dementia. Dementia can affect vision in different ways, including problems judging distances (such as on stairs), perceiving the edges of objects, or misinterpreting patterns or reflections. It can also make reading large text more difficult, or cause issues with recognising objects. The survey also found that across the UK less than two-thirds of respondents identified that problems with communication (61 per cent) or mood changes (64 per cent) were symptoms of dementia. Corinne Mills, interim CEO of Alzheimer's Society, said: "This Dementia Action Week, we're highlighting the six most common symptoms of dementia and encouraging anyone with concerns to use our free symptom checklist and seek help from their GP or other health professional. "More than a third of people with dementia don't have a diagnosis, meaning they're missing out on the vital care, support, and treatment they need. "But it doesn't have to be this way. "We understand that getting a diagnosis can be daunting, but we believe it's better to know." The six most common symptoms of dementia include memory loss, difficulty organising thoughts, problems with communication, problems with vision, getting confused about time or place, and changes in mood or personality.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wellington man, 86, taking on skydive for Alzheimer's Society
An 86-year-old man is set to complete his fourth skydive to raise money for the Alzheimer's Standring, who lives in Wellington, Somerset, has supported the charity since his "dear, longstanding friend" Alan was diagnosed with the condition in 2012. Mr Standring is hoping to raise £2,000 by completing Saturday's skydive at Dunkeswell Airfield to mark Dementia Action Week."It's breathtaking," he said, adding that it was "quite outstanding to see the world from up there". "You're in the door and then suddenly you're flying," he told the BBC. "You don't feel anything, just this intense noise and the wind and then everything opens up and it all slows down."It's just an amazing, amazing view." But it is not just the thrill of the skydive that appeals to Mr Standring - it is also an opportunity to raise money for a deeply personal cause. Having helped care for his friend, Mr Standring became involved with the Alzheimer's Society and has spent much of the past decade supporting people with the condition, as well as raising awareness of it. "I've been passionate about trying to do something, whatever it might be, to help people with dementia," he Standring has earned awards for his work with the organisation, sat on its volunteer advisory panel and helped organise fundraising efforts at his home. Describing his feelings ahead of his latest skydive, he said: "I'm looking forward to it. I know what I'm going to feel like - I'm going to have more of those great feelings and the view again."But the end game is I'm hoping to raise a bit more money for Alan, and for dementia, and for those people that look after those living [with the disease] - the carers and the families. All their lives change."
