We're doing the Ballarat Memory Walk & Jog to raise funds for the 400,000 Australian's living with dementia.
When Mum was first diagnosed, I threw myself into advocacy, raising awareness and funds and tried to do my part in creating a dementia friendly community for Mum to live in. After a couple of years of that, on top of caring for Mum as her condition worsened - it became all too consuming. I took a step back from advocacy and put that energy into being who I have to be for Mum and my family whilst I stumble my way through my 20s without Mum’s guidance.
The emotional, heart breaking journey of caring for someone that you love so deeply, watching them deteriorate right before your eyes - has got to be one of the hardest things I will ever do. Next up on that list would be the impossible battle of trying to access the services that are supposed to be there to help people in our position.
Dementia is a devastatingly cruel disease and desperately needs more research, it is not a normal part of ageing yet there are 400,000 people in Australia living with it. With that number comes a close to equal amount of unpaid carers who are suffering with an enormous amount of burnout and grief of a person who is standing right in front of them.
Without funding for research there will be no cure and these numbers will only get more terrifying. Dementia needs advocacy for change in the community, in NDIS and in aged care.
If you want to show your support, you can donate or you can join our team in April at Dementia Australia’s memory walk, we’ll be Wandering for Wilma 💜
Our Team Members
Tam Westwood
$0
Meg Curnow
$27
Gary Curnow
$0
Emily Ellis
$751
Leigh Thornton
$0
Laura Pratt
$1,002
Deb Bigarelli
$196
Thea Hubble
$0
Jake Gregurke
$0
Tom Gardiner
$0
Jaymee-Lin Ellis
$0
Janeen Gardiner
$30
Bridget Horgan
$0
Kane Risk
$57
Thank you to our Sponsors
$300
Anonymous
$120
Fossickers Tourist Park
$117
Shirley/stu Pratt
"Extra Special love ❤️ n hugs for Wilma.. family and all carers.."
$117
Anne
"Run your heart out Em , would love to have been there , but will walk the decks in honour of your mum."
$117
Gallagher Family
"Lots of love and big hugs to Wilma and of course Gary, Emily, Laura, Sophie and Meg. From the Gallaghers"
$115
Laura Pratt
$100
Deb Bigarelli
$88
Ethan Ellis
$87
Leanne
"I will be honored to support and donate to “ wandering for Wilma, love to you all."
$67
Ethan Ellis
$59
Jake
$59
Jenny Denouden
$59
Nicole Punschke
"Lovely to see people do Fundraising for this. It is something that scares the Crapp out of me. Working in age care many years have made me be aware of the problems surrounding memory los."
$59
Anonymous
"Hi Meg for you and your mum. It is a dreadful disease which I have watch claim both of my brothers and my mother"
$59
Jenny Denouden
$57
Kane Risk
$55
Genkifit
"Let's Wander for Wilma - Jaymee"
$55
Megan Trousdale
"Bravo Laura for running 6km and motivating others."
$53
Elisha Smith
$53
En
"🩷"
$53
Janelle Bertacco
"Thinking of you all and your beautiful Mum 💗"
$50
Kristie Witten
$50
Rachel Schofield
$50
Jenny And Mick Ellis
$45
Oscar Ellis
$43
Tom Gardiner
"❤️"
$43
Kate Zakynthinos
$32
Janet S
"Sorry I couldn't walk with you x"
$32
Fee Gregurke
"Such a heart breaking journey for any family. I hope my small contribution can join others in helping."
$30
Janeen Gardiner
$30
Anonymous
$27
Emily Ellis
$27
Timothy Lomax
"Wish I could do more but I’d die walking the lake 🫠"
$27
Kathy Bigarelli
"Sorry I can’t be there to walk with you!"
$27
Julie Scott
"Well done Deb ❤️"
$25
Zayne Ellis
$21
Alison Iles
$21
Jeanette
$21
Rachel
"So enjoyed doing this for you and your mum."
$11
Suzanne And Bernard Savage
"Thinking of you and your lovely family, maybe we will catch up again, one day. ❤️ Suzanne and Bernard"
