Dementia Australia National Ambassador Ita Buttrose AC OBE has called on the public to show their support for people living with dementia by signing up for one of the 16 events in the 2021 Memory Walk & Jog series.
Ms Buttrose said Dementia Australia was excited to see the organisation's largest fundraising initiative make a triumphant return, bigger and better than ever.
"The 2021 Memory Walk & Jog season will be returning with an expanded program of events set to be hosted right around the country, meaning even more Australians will have the opportunity to join in the fun," Ms Buttrose said.
The Memory Walk & Jog series raises much-needed funds to help provide invaluable support, education and resources for people living with dementia in Australia, their carers, families and friends.
"Having been involved with these events over many years I can say first-hand how enjoyable and rewarding they are," Ms Buttrose said.
"They're a fabulous gathering of people impacted by dementia who get together, walk or run to raise money and share stories, and everyone comes away knowing they are not alone."
In 2021 there will be 16 events:
Sunday 14 February Albury Wodonga Sumsion Gardens, Wodonga
Sunday 21 February Illawarra Stuart Park, North Wollongong
Sunday 28 February Canberra Barrine Drive, Lake Burley Griffin
Saturday 13 March Hobart Regatta Grounds, Hobart
Sunday 14 March Geelong Eastern Park, Geelong
Saturday 20 March Coffs Harbour Marina Drive, Coffs Harbour
Sunday 21 March Port Macquarie Westport Park, Port Macquarie
Sunday 21 March Hunter Speers Point Park, Lake Macquarie
Sunday 28 March Adelaide Colley Reserve, Glenelg
Sunday 18 April Ballarat Lake Wendouree, Ballarat
Sunday 2 May Melbourne Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne
Sunday 9 May Western Sydney Sydney International Regatta Centre
Sunday 23 May Sydney The Bay Run, Leichhardt Oval #3, Lilyfield
Sunday 30 May Brisbane Rocks Riverside Park, Seventeen Mile Rocks
Sunday 13 June Gold Coast Pratten Park, Broadbeach
Sunday 13 June Sunshine Coast Kawana Surf Club, Buddina
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said after a difficult year in 2020, she hopes Memory Walk & Jog can offer something for everyone to look forward to.
"Despite the many challenges and cancelled physical events, in 2020 our community stepped up and showed their support by taking part in their own virtual Memory Walk & Jog," Ms McCabe said.
"The safety and wellbeing of our participants, volunteers and staff continues to be our first priority. We are therefore constantly monitoring the evolving situation with COVID-19, and remain in communication with the relevant federal, state and local authorities.
"A robust COVID-safe plan is being tailored for individual events, each of which can be adapted in light of any changes to restrictions," Ms McCabe said.
In 2021, Dementia Australia is aiming to raise $1.3 million through these events, and are hoping to attract 13,000 participants.
Each event has several courses of different distances, so there really is something for everyone. There will be prizes for the top fundraisers, as well as raffles, well-known MCs, plenty of entertainment, food stalls and special guest appearances from Memory Walk & Jog mascot Al the Elephant.
Currently there is an estimated 459,000 Australians living with dementia, and almost 1.6 million people involved in their care. Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians, and the leading cause of death of Australian women.
Registrations are now open for all Memory Walk & Jog events across Australia.
