Walking for Change: 150km in Support of the Alzheimer’s Society

Over October half term, we completed 150 kilometres along the South West Coast Path to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. This charity is especially close to Lottie’s heart, as both of her grandfathers are living with Alzheimer’s. She has witnessed first-hand the profound impact it has on families. It is heartbreaking to see a loved one slowly forget who you are, and we wanted to do something to help others who are navigating this incredibly challenging journey.

We completed the walk over a week, hiking during the day and camping each night. The challenge served as a powerful reminder of the resilience required by those affected by this horrendous disease. We originally aimed to raise £1,000, but thanks to everyone’s generosity we surpassed that target, increased it to £3,000, and have since raised over a staggering £5,700. This money will support the vital work of Alzheimer’s Society, who provide essential help to people affected by dementia through advice lines and local groups, fund groundbreaking research to find a cure and improve understanding of the disease, and campaign to make dementia a political and social priority.

The walk itself was an amazing experience that we will never forget. We began on the first day in Clovelly at midday, spirits high. Some days were far tougher than others, both mentally and physically, especially the 25km stretch from Hartland Quay to Bude, which included ten valleys in a row. But whenever it got difficult, we thought about the 55 million people living with dementia and remembered who we were doing it for and that made every second worth it.

There were many highlights too: the incredible scenery, watching our fundraising total climb, and of course the countless sweets! We owe a huge thank you to everyone who supported us - our school, our family and friends, and especially our families for driving up and down the coastline all week. We are also grateful to our friends Alma and Honor for joining us for a day when things got tough. Our evenings in the tent were so much fun, and pesto pasta for breakfast turned out to be the perfect fuel!

Over the week we walked hundreds of thousands of steps, took hundreds of photos, and made countless memories. Walking those miles wasn't just about reaching the finish line, but it was about the 55 million people suffering from this awful disease. When we finally completed our 150th kilometre, our amazing parents surprised us with a big “150” balloon and cupcakes, which felt like the perfect way to end an incredible week.

By Lottie T and Annie S