Hadrian’s Wall Challenge for DementiaUK

In 2012 over the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee I began a challenge for which I consider to be one of my greatest achievements. I hiked from coast to coast across England following the ancient route of Hadrian’s Wall. My only companion was a very brave friend who was mad enough to join me! We both carried our own heavy packs and we walked from dawn to dusk over a very challenging landscape in oft times difficult weather. We completed the challenge in only 5 days!

We began in South Shields in Newcastle at the beach and made our way to the Segedunum Roman fort at modern-day Wallsend, Tyne and Wear. The fort lay at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall near the banks of the River Tyne. We finished in Bowness-on-Solway, the village is situated on the site of the Roman fort called Maia, the second largest on Hadrian's Wall. En route we saw incredible scenery which felt devoid of mankind! There were many sections of the wall still standing, including forts and way castles, we climbed great hills and walked along clifftops. 

Hadrian's Wall was a defensive fortification in Roman Britain, begun in AD 122 during the rule of Emperor Hadrian. It was designed to keep the Celts out of Britannia, Hadrian was concerned to consolidate his boundaries. He visited Britain in 122 AD, and ordered the wall to be built between the Solway Firth in the West and the River Tyne in the east "to separate Romans from Barbarians". In addition to its military role, gates through the wall served as customs posts. It is probably one of the most well-known landmarks in the country, and locations along what remains of the wall have been seen in many films - such as Robin Hood Prince of Thieves which was shot at Sycamore Gap.

One of the greatest monuments to the power - and limitations - of the Roman Empire.

All this was in aid of a charity I feel very strongly about, DementiaUK (Charity Registration No. 1039404)

It was an emotional journey as a few days before I set off I lost my Grandma who had been suffering with Dementia for many years. It was her and my other Grandma who is still suffering from Dementia that I decided to embark on this journey to raise money for this cause. When it first became clear they had this illness, it was about 10 years ago now, there was not much in place to help and it didn't seem to be a well-recognised issue. So I aimed to raise awareness as well as help others who will inevitably go through what my family has – dementia doesn't just affect the one suffering it but causing pain for all around them.

Video of the Hadrian’s Wall Hike:

Dementia UK is a national charity committed to improving quality of life for all people affected by dementia. The charity has three core areas: - Admiral Nurses - Admiral Nursing DIRECT - Uniting Carers.

I will explain these three core areas:

Admiral Nurses are mental health nurses specialising in dementia. They work with family carers and people with dementia, in the community and other settings. Working collaboratively with other professionals, Admiral Nurses seek to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers. They use a range of interventions that help people live positively with the condition and develop skills to improve communication and maintain relationships. Admiral Nurses typically have between 80 - 100 families on their caseload! They are available to support families throughout the dementia journey. They provide family carers with the tools and skills to best understand the condition, as well as emotional and psychological support through periods of transition.

Admiral Nursing DIRECT is our national helpline and email service, provided by experienced Admiral Nurses and is for family and professional carers, people with dementia and those worried about their memory. It gives practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by dementia.

Uniting Carers is an involvement network of family carers of people with dementia. The aim of the network is to give carers the opportunity to raise awareness and increase people's understanding of dementia.

Their Website: http://www.dementiauk.org/

In total I managed to raise £1730.03 (Total includes Gift Aid)

My Just Giving Page: http://www.justgiving.com/Ruth-Walter