Charity blog: Cycling for dementia

In this blog, Partner and head of Brachers’ Elderly and Vulnerable team, Mary Rimmer, tells us about her involvement in the ‘Cycle for Dementia’ campaign. 

Mary’s blog

Pre-coronavirus, I used to go for a walk every lunchtime when I was in the office to try and get some fresh air and daily exercise.

When we went into lockdown in March 2020, I was juggling full-time work with home schooling my now eight-year-old daughter. Like many people, I found I was always rushing from one thing to the next. The lunchtime walks went out the window, as I spent any free time looking after my family or helping my daughter with her schoolwork.

Although missing out on lunchtime walks may seem like a minor thing, I began to find that this lack of fresh air and exercise (combined with the general strains of lockdown life) was beginning to take its toll on my mental health and overall happiness.

Earlier this year, I decided that I needed to make myself start exercising again. When I found out about the Cycle for Dementia fundraising initiative, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to challenge myself, whilst at the same time as raising much needed funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. I convinced my husband to sign up to the challenge as well, so we could spur each other on with some competition (friendly, of course!).

I decided to commit to cycling 250 miles in 30 days. This seemed like an achievable goal to fit in with day to day responsibilities of family life and working in a busy team, but also enough to challenge myself.

Handily, my husband bought an exercise bike just before the pandemic hit which I had only sporadically used up until that point. It has certainly proved very useful and means that I can fit in cycling on busy days when I don’t get the chance to go out.

I am currently 25 days into the challenge and there have only been four days where I haven’t cycled. This bank holiday weekend I managed to get out on my bike a lot (despite the gale force winds!) and I am delighted to say that I’m currently on target to reach my goal.

Completing this challenge has had more of an impact than I ever could have thought. I feel stronger, fitter and happier and I’m determined to raise the £300 target. I really enjoy working to a goal, and it has definitely encouraged me on those days I would normally just carry on working through lunch, or in the evenings, collapse on the sofa and reach for the remote!

This challenge is very important to me as the Alzheimer’s Society’s work is a cause very close to my heart. Although I have not personally been affected by dementia (yet), I often see the effect it has on Brachers’ clients and their families. It is for this reason I have been supporting the valuable work of the charity for many years, at first by becoming a Dementia Friend and then in 2019 becoming a Dementia Friends Champion.

In my role as Champion I regularly deliver information sessions to local businesses, schools and community groups, to help spread awareness and reduce the stigma of dementia.

To date, I am proud to say that I have created over 1,150 Dementia Friends in the local community.

About Dementia Friends

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.

Whether you attend a face-to-face information session or watch the online video, Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help. From telling friends about the Dementia Friends programme to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts.

Further support

If you have an elderly or vulnerable friend or relative who needs legal support, find out the ways in which we can help.

This content is correct at time of publication