Meet the office workers joining forces to raise Alzheimer’s awareness in Leeds charity challenge
“We all have a personal interest in our lives - it's close to our hearts”
Thousands of people will descend on Temple Newsam in Leeds this weekend to raise Alzheimer’s Disease awareness in a community-oriented charity challenge.
The Leeds Memory Walk will take place on Sunday, October 11 at 11am, and participants will take on either a 2.5km or 6km walk to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society, the UK’s leading dementia charity.
Three people taking part in the challenge are Stuart Smith, Kayleigh Marchant and Philippa Ellwood, colleagues at Vanquis Banking Group.
“There’s gonna be thousands and thousands of people there,” Philippa told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I just think the more awareness we can get out there for this amazing charity and how it can support people is a great benefit.”
The group, who are taking on the longer 6km route, will also cut the starting ribbon to begin this year’s Memory Walk.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a condition that affects memory, thinking and the ability to perform daily activities.
Dementia and Alzheimer's disease are the leading cause of death in the UK, accounting for over 11% of registered deaths in 2024.
Alzheimer’s Society works to fund ground-breaking research and support families affected by dementia.
The Memory Walk is just one of many challenges Vanquis workers are taking on this year to support Alzheimer’s Society.
As the money raised from the Memory Walk is set to be matched by employers, Stuart, Kayleigh, and Philippa hope to make a big impact with their fundraising.
Stuart said: “Alzheimer’s Society is our Charity of the Year at Vanquis so a lot of our charity volunteer work is focused towards that charity which is great.
“We all have a personal interest in our lives - it's close to our hearts.”
To support Stuart, Kayleigh, and Philippa’s Alzheimer’s Society fundraiser, visit their Justgiving page.
To sign up to walk or volunteer at this year’s Leeds Memory Walk, visit the Alzheimer’s Society website.