Scotland’s Memory Walk welcomed participants from across Scotland and beyond to fundraise and walk in memory of loved ones who have been affected by dementia. It reached far corners of the country and spanning internationally to Hong Kong, New Zealand and Canada. This year’s campaign raised over GBP 112,000 (approx. EUR 132,000) from the two-day September event which asked supporters to register for free and take part in their own memory walk. Participants were encouraged to choose their own route, and for many of them, the route chosen held a significant meaning or memory. Funds raised will be used to support people living with dementia across Scotland including their families and carers. With the introduction of a new fundraising platform, participants were able to sign up, gain access to resources and fundraise all in one place. This successfully increased the participants’ event experience and maximised fundraising opportunities. People were invited to connect with Alzheimer Scotland and fellow supporters via a dedicated Facebook group, a digital resource which has proved invaluable for third sector organisations throughout the pandemic.
With two successful events in this new virtual format, participant feedback shows that despite walking their own routes, people feel more connected than ever to the cause and to their loved ones. Historically, Alzheimer Scotland has hosted up to 13 mass gathering events, moving to a virtual offering due to Covid-19. Data shows that the virtual format has had an improved return on investment and will therefore shape how the charity delivers the event in the future. One participant said: “I have previously taken part in an organised mass gathering walk & then two years running we chose our own route. This year was particularly poignant as it was around my mum’s home area- I felt this was much more of a “memory” walk than an organised event.” Alzheimer Scotland welcomes your organisation to get in touch should you be interested in finding out more about hosting your own stakeholder events. Contact their team via memorywalk@alzscot.org
