Charity run raises thousands for local dementia services

Published: Friday, 14th July 2017

After 500 participants ran, walked or pushed around Knole Park back on 14 May, Sevenoaks District Council can reveal over £4,500 was raised for the Sevenoaks Area Dementia Friendly Community Forum.

Residents from all over the District and beyond turned out in full force on a sunny morning to take on one of the timed 3, 5 or 10 kilometre races on the beautiful backdrop of the medieval deer park.  

Today, (Friday 14 July), Sevenoaks District Chairman, Cllr Larry Abraham, presented a cheque for the money raised to Forum co-chairs Elaine Ferris and Symone Salwan at Knole House.

The money will fund dementia friendly projects across the Sevenoaks District.

As well as the cheque being presented, the event was also celebrating the launch of a new Forget-me-not Café in Knole House, Sevenoaks, which is the first  project being funded by the money raised from Run, Walk or Push against Dementia.

The café provides support and companionship to those in the community who are living with memory issues or dementia as well as their carers, family and friends.

It will run on the first Friday of every month, starting from 1 September, and is the third of its kind in West Kent following on from the success of cafés in Edenbridge and Westerham, launched in 2015.

Sevenoaks District Chairman, Cllr Larry Abraham, says: “We’re so proud the event back in May managed to raise this much money and now the runners and sponsors are able to see for themselves where some of the money is going.

“The Forget-me-not Cafés have been doing such important work in supporting residents across the District who are touched by dementia. For the money from Run, Walk or Push against Dementia to be funding the two existing cafe’s for another year and the opening of a new one in Sevenoaks is an excellent achievement for everyone that enjoyed the day and made it happen.

“I’d also like to thank the Council staff who gave up their Sunday and helped out on the day.”