A team of 8 Bournemouth Water colleagues have helped raise over £3,000 for charity by taking on a 12-mile winding coastal trek with over 2,700ft of ascent – more than the shortest route up Snowdon, which consists of 2,372ft of ascent.
The event, organised by Collaboration Network in support of Alzheimer’s Society, saw over 120 people hike 12.3 miles in 8 different locations across the country. The total 98 miles walked represents the 982,000 people in the UK living with Alzheimer’s disease.
The South West region’s walk, led by Bournemouth Water as a Member organisation of the Collaboration Network, commenced on June 12 from Lulworth Cove all the way to Weymouth. This hike raised £3,070 for Alzheimer’s Society, the UK’s leading dementia charity which provides vital support to anyone affected by dementia and ground-breaking research to improve diagnosis, care and treatment.
This country-wide fundraiser passed the initial collective target of £9,820, raising £24,158 for Alzheimer’s Society, and counting.
Jamie McDonald, Bournemouth Water’s Head of Billing and Recovery and leader of the South West Walk, said: “The walk more than lived up to its description of ‘challenging’. We were on the trail for over 7 hours, walking through fog and then bright sunshine. The hills in the first 4 miles tested the legs and forced everyone to dig deep. Knowing we were supporting such a great charity helped us persevere.
I’m proud to say the entire Bournemouth Water team made it to the finish line, which was not a given at the halfway point. Despite several members of the team being unable to walk over the weekend, everyone said how much they enjoyed the day. It’s a cause that touches many of us and this challenge is our way of helping raise awareness, vital funds, and support for those affected. It was also a great opportunity to appreciate the stunning countryside in our region.”
Will Archer, Collaboration Network Managing Director, said: “This initiative not only raised vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society, but also helped shine a light on the challenges faced by those living with dementia and the importance of supporting them, their families, and carers.”