A MAN has set himself the epic challenge of carrying out a 24-hour walk next week, on what would have been his dad’s 78th birthday.

Jeff Wood, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2017, died last December.

Michael Wood from St Helens and his sister Louise, who lives in Kent, have set themselves a fundraising target of £10,000 for Alzheimer’s Society, in his memory.

Louise has already got her fundraising well underway and is currently completing an 850,000 steps challenge.

Michael’s efforts will kick off at midnight on March 10 and he will keep walking until 11.59pm that night.

He will be starting his ‘Walk for Woodsy’ in the Sankey Valley and taking in Billinge and Rainford on his travels.

Michael said he hopes his walk, which will be socially distanced and within current coronavirus restrictions, will raise both money and awareness.

“As my dad’s dementia progressed he often used to go walking about,” he explained.

“Luckily the people in his village, Golden Green, kept an eye out for him and although he sometimes walked on busy roads with no footpaths he thankfully came to no harm.

“Walking about can be a risk for people with dementia, as they can get disorientated and lost quite easily.

“If someone goes missing the first 24 hours are key to finding them as they could suffer hypothermia or drown.”

Jeff was diagnosed with mixed vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s in 2017.

“It turned our world upside down and it was a contributing factor to the loss of a great man with a heard of gold,” said Michael.

Michael and Louise decided to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society because of the help and support the family received while Jeff was living with dementia.

“Alzheimer’s Society helped us with practical things like putting paperwork together and letting us know what type of support we could apply for,” said Michael.

“There was also a befriending service which was great. It got him out socialising for an additional three hours each week and we loved that it helped improve his confidence and self-esteem.”

Michael and Louise have a year-long programme of fundraising events planned to reach their £10,000 target including a ‘North Coast 500’ four day bike ride in Scotland in April, the Trek 26 Alzheimer’s Society fundraising event in London in June, and the South West ‘Coast to Coast Challenge’ in July, with more events to be confirmed.

Linzi Stewart, Alzheimer’s Society Community Fundraiser for Cheshire, paid tribute to Michael and Louise for their huge fundraising efforts.

“We are extremely grateful for all the time and effort Michael and Louise have put into raising money for Alzheimer’s Society, particularly at what is such a challenging time.

She continued: "The coronavirus pandemic has been devastating for families in Merseyside and across the UK.

"People affected by dementia need us now more than ever, but the pandemic has hit us hard financially, despite an unprecedented demand for our services.

"The money raised by Michael and Louise will help Alzheimer’s Society reach and support more people through our vital services, like our Dementia Connect support line, which has been used almost three million times in the UK since March 2020.

"We are in awe of supporters like them whose dedication to fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society ensures that we are able to support those who need it most during this difficult period."

If you would like to sponsor Michael and Louise please go to justgiving.com/fundraising/challenge4dementia

For more information visit alzheimers.org.uk/DAW