Newark couple complete West Highland Way to charities Newark Dementia Carers Group and Dementia UK, raising almost £5,000
Powered on by the love of her dad, a woman has completed a gruelling 96-mile trek through the wilds of Scotland and raised thousands of pounds for dementia charities along the way.
Over seven days, Sarah-Jane Ayers hiked through some of Scotland’s most rugged and beautiful landscapes as she took on the West Highland Way, supported by her husband Mike and their dog Skye.
Four years ago, Sarah’s dad Brian was diagnosed with dementia — a cognitive condition which affects brain function, leading to confusion and memory loss — and after witnessing his heartbreaking decline, she was determined to do something to support others affected by the condition.
The NHS estimates that more than 944,000 people in the UK are currently living with dementia, a number which is expected to surpass one million by 2030, emphasising the need for support groups and dedicated charities.
Originally setting out to raise £4,000, to be split between the Newark Dementia Carers Group and Dementia UK, Sarah’s fundraising total has now surpassed £5,000.
“Hundreds of people have donated,” said Sarah. “It’s really beautiful to see.
“You don’t realise how many lives [dementia] touches, and a lot of people we met said how much it meant to them.
“I’d bump into people in the Market Place and start talking about the challenge, and on the walk we met so many people who just handed us money.
“It is very emotional — this [money] will make such a huge difference not just for my dad, but other people going through this.”
Setting off from Milngavie, just north of Glasgow, and finishing at Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, the trio covered 96 miles in just seven days.
“It was a struggle,” said Sarah. “I had a lot of aches and pains, my back needed bracing, and my bag straps were digging into my shoulders.
“By the second day I was ready to go home, but I just put my head down and got on with it.
“I was there for a reason — to raise some money and I didn’t want to let people down.
“When I was mentally struggling, the thought of my dad kept me going.”
Showing grit and determination to overcome physical injuries and mental exhaustion, Sarah said her mindset switched.
“Never have I been at peace as much as I was half way through,” she said.
“It was beautiful, and I could start to appreciate where I was.
“I was told ‘the walk will change you’ and it really did.
“I was held together by the love of my dad.”
Anyone that would like to support the cause can do so by visiting Sarah’s fundraising page: www.gofundme.com/f/ahcw54-fight-dementia
The Newark Dementia Carers Group which supports Sarah’s dad meets several times a week at Balderton Village Hall and provides activities, support, and a community.
Meanwhile, Dementia UK is a national charity which provides support through specialised nurses, ensuring that no one faces dementia alone.
The charity recognises that dementia does not only impact the person with the diagnosis, but everyone else around them.
Their nurses provide free advice and support tailored to help families care for their loved ones.
Dementia UK can be contacted either through their free helpline on 0800 888 6678, by emailing helpline@dementiauk.org, or through its virtual or face-to-face clinics.
After taking a break to recover, Sarah hopes to continue her support for those affected by dementia through advocacy work and helping people to get access to the medication and doctor appointments they need.