Memories March For Dementia UK

Hello we are Charlie Wilson and Oliver Cliffe, and we're raising money for dementia uk - a charity close to both of our hearts. We have both gone through tough times with dementia, having experienced its devastating and impactful anguish amongst our families when supporting someone suffering from the disease.

The reason I (Charlie) feel compelled to address this issue is deeply rooted in my own experiences with loss; I've lost three grandparents to dementia. My grandpa Brian passed away when I was just four, so I didn’t fully grasp the impact then, but he profoundly influenced my life—his passion for football ignited my own love for the game. My Nana Norma was a significant figure in my life, yet when I was thirteen, she suffered from the disease to the point where she harmed my grandpa Eric, ultimately leading to his hospitalization and eventual death. The pain of losing a grandparent because of another is unimaginable. It’s important to note that this wasn’t the Nana I knew; the disease transformed her into someone unrecognizable. When she was placed in a care home, it felt like I had already lost her. Dementia is cruel; you lose someone twice. The most heart-wrenching experience is when they no longer recognize you, yet you still see them. She passed away last December, shortly after her 90th birthday, reuniting with grandpa Eric in what I hope is a peaceful place. Eric was my best friend, and I miss him every day. It’s not that the pain lessens over time; you simply learn to live without them. The loss of three grandparents to the same illness fuels my passion to ensure that no other family endures the suffering we experienced. It was the hardest challenge we ever faced.

I’m Oli and the reason I wanted to join Charlie on this walk was because of my Grandad Lloyd. When I was younger he developed dementia and I had to experience the toll it put on my family, particularly my mum. He would pass away 2021 and it really struck me at his funeral watching my mum talk about how great of a man he was, how much dementia took away from him and my family. I wanted to support Charlie on his journey as I feel that people with dementia need more support than they can always get.

These reasons are why Oli and I are undertaking an 80-mile walk to raise funds for those we’ve lost. Kicking off on February 17th, we aim to raise as much money as possible while spreading awareness about this devastating disease that has impacted our families so deeply. We’d love to invite anyone to join us in walking, donating, or helping to raise awareness as all funds will be going straight to dementia UK because no one should have to endure the loss of loved ones more than once.