Janet Lloyd from Chadderton has been pounding the miles around Saddleworth as she gets into condition for a 26 mile Trek for Alzheimer’s Society.
Janet, her husband David, and their 15 year old daughter Frankie, were moved to fundraise for the charity after losing both Janet’s mother and mother-in-law to the disease during 2022. Her Mum, Joan, and Mum-in-law, Janet, were both from the Oldham area, from Chadderton and Shaw respectively.
Janet, who now lives in Grotton, works at the Castleshaw Centre in Delph and wanted to do some fundraising while getting the positive benefits of outdoor exercise. They’ll be taking part in the Trek 26 event for Alzheimer’s Society at Stonehenge on Saturday 2 September and will be walking 26 miles in one day.
Janet said: “Being outdoors in nature is so beneficial when going through the grieving process. David, Frankie and I have been training since the beginning of the year and are very fortunate to have Saddleworth as our training ground. Although we are very pleased that Salisbury isn’t quite as hilly as Saddleworth!”
Janet explained why she wanted to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Society:
“I want to raise awareness and support for the tremendous services Alzheimer’s Society provided to our family. I keep that in mind when I’m trekking up and down Knott Hill Lane in Delph. My parents joined Alzheimer’s Society’s Singing for the Brain session at the Oldham Music Centre, despite Mum’s reluctance. As she always used to say, ‘She’d danced all her life but never sang’. However it turned out to be the best decision they made as they both got so much pleasure from it.”
“During lockdown the sessions went onto Zoom and the singing continued at home, always the highlight of the week. Eventually, as lockdown eased, a new face-to-face session, called ‘Vibrant Voices’ started up at the Gallery in Oldham on Friday afternoons and they attended that as well as the Zoom Singing for the Brain sessions on Wednesdays. I cannot speak highly enough of these two services. The pleasure it gave my parents, especially Mum, is immeasurable. The enjoyment, friendship and support at such a difficult time is something which I will always be grateful for.”
Janet’s husband, David, will also be trekking with her and Frankie, but has been fundraising separately thanks to his generous employer and work colleagues. So Janet and Frankie have set up their own Just Giving page.
Regional manager for Greater Manchester, Sue Clarke, said: “We are so pleased to hear how much our Singing for Brain group helped Janet’s parents. Services like these are a lifeline for people living with dementia and their nearest and dearest. The money raised at our Trek 26 events as well as our upcoming Memory Walks is vital.
“At Alzheimer’s Society we want to go on investing in dementia research and providing practical advice and support to people living with dementia and it’s thanks to wonderful fundraisers like Janet, that things are looking more hopeful than ever before. We have seen two ground-breaking medical advances in dementia research this year and awareness levels have never been higher and that’s down to the dedication of an army of supporters like Janet. We wish her and Frankie a wonderful Trek 26 experience.”
Upcoming Memory Walks in the North West:
- Ainstree Racecourse, Liverpool on 3 September
- Tatton Park, Cheshire on 16 September
- Heaton Park, Manchester on 8 October
