Janine GriffithsSeven Leeds Rotary Clubs are joining forces at Temple Newsam to raise vital funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
The charity walk takes place on Sunday, September 6th, offering local residents a chance to support groundbreaking research into the disease.
The event was first created by former Rotarian Drew Dodds and his wife Isobel, who suffered from a rare form of dementia that took away her ability to control her legs.
When Isobel passed away in October last year, followed tragically by Drew a month later, fellow rotarian and organiser of the walk, David Repper made a promise.
“On his dying bed, I visited Drew on several occasions and he made it very clear to me that this should continue.”
“I promised him that I would continue with this project,” Repper said.
The inaugural walk in 2024 raised £13,000, followed by £26,000 in 2025. Organisers hope to exceed that total this year. Every £36 raised covers one hour of vital research.
There is currently no cure for dementia. Repper noted: “Once you’re diagnosed with dementia, it’s a sad, inevitable deterioration, and for family who are around to watch, it’s a very, very depressing and sad process.”
The event brings together seven Rotary Clubs: Leeds, Headingley, Roundhay, Aireborough, Calverley, Elmete, and White Rose.
Registration opens at 11am and the walk begins at around midday.
The family-friendly day includes a 16-piece band, free blood pressure testing, an Alzheimer’s Research UK information stand, and appearances by the Deputy Lord Mayor and Leeds Rhinos.
“It’s not a competition,” Repper said. “If they want to do 100 metres, that’s equally fine. The point is that they turn up and support the cause.”
Walkers receive a bib to write the name of a loved one affected by the condition. Repper explained: “It creates a lovely kind of inter-community spirit because you can be talking to people that you’ve never known or never met before, and it’s a really nice thing to do. People feel very fulfilled after having had that experience.”
Sign-ups for this year’s Rotary Leeds Walk are now open on Eventbrite.
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