Alzheimer’s Society MK are running their memory walk at Willen Lake South on Sunday 8th September 2024 and need volunteers to help them out! Read on to find out more about the walk and how you can get involved!
What is it?
Come along to Willen Lake on Sunday 8 September 2024 and share an incredible day with others who understand how it feels to be affected by dementia. Share advice, laughter, and support at the Milton Keynes Memory Walk. And when you cross the finish line, celebrate with your medal, knowing you have walked for a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.
How can I volunteer?
You can sign up to be an event volunteer! Volunteering at Memory Walk is an incredible experience. You and hundreds of others across the country will help us to run 26 inspiring walks that raise vital funds, providing help and hope to people affected by dementia.
Memory Walks simply couldn’t happen without incredible volunteers, and we do our best to make it a day to remember. You can expect:
- A fantastic day outdoors in your local community. Make sure to come prepared with suitable footwear, clothing and a charged mobile phone.
- A face-to-face briefing from the Events Team before the event starts where you’ll chat through your role for the day. There’ll be plenty of time to ask any questions you may have.
- A chance to explore the event site and hang a tag on the Memory Walk Memory Tree in honour of your loved ones.
- Satisfaction, knowing that you’re helping to raise vital funds and providing help and hope to people affected by dementia.
- Volunteer arrival time is typically 8:45am (check your emails once you’ve registered for your exact event details).
- You’ll need to be able to commit to around 6 hours of volunteering at the event. Don’t worry if you can’t stick around for the whole day, just make sure to get in touch with us to let us know your availability.
Available roles
Event Site
Volunteers who are based in the event site can take on a variety of different roles throughout the day, including:
- Selling merchandise.
- Answering walkers’ questions.
- Helping keep the event area clean, tidy and safe.
- Handing out medals at the finish line!
Route marshal
Route volunteers are absolutely essential to guide walkers and keep enthusiasm
high! Volunteers in these roles will be positioned at key points on the walk route
and will:
- Ensure walkers are heading in the right direction.
- Motivate and cheer people on as they complete their Memory Walk.
- Monitor and report back on route progress to the events team using your Memory Walk radio.
- All route marshals will be paired, so you’ll never be alone on the route.
Back markers
Back markers are crucial to making Memory Walk a safe event. You will have the unique advantage of walking the whole route alongside our wonderful participants. In this role you will:
- Follow behind the last walkers.
- Take down route signage.
- Release route marshals from their points on the course
About the event
Milton Keynes Memory Walk will start and finish in the event site, by the events lawn next to Splash ‘n’ Play. Please note, this area is on grass. Find us using postcode MK15 0DS, alternatively enter stops.whirlwind.easily into the What3Words App.
There is limited event parking at Willen Lake so please car share where possible. Please use postcode MK15 0DS for the North Car Park. Car park charges apply and you will need to pay on arrival. Please bring cash, a bank card or use the RingGo app. City centre parking is a 3km walk, with Milton Keynes Central a 4km walk away. Please consider the most sustainable method of transport, or car share where possible.
To make sure everyone is included, there are two routes for participants to choose from on the day of Memory Walk. The shorter 3km route, which is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all ages and abilities. The longer 5km route has amazing views of the lake and the Peace Pagoda and is more challenging with a combination of woodland and paved paths. Please note the route and distance is subject to change, and suitable footwear is recommended.
You can also contact Steph Orchard, Milton Keynes Event Manager at Steph.orchard@alzheimers.org.uk
