Going the extra mile for Dementia Charities

Earlier this year, Jacqueline and Stacey from our Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) Home Care team laced up their walking shoes, donned their kilts and set off on the 23 mile Kiltwalk from Glasgow to Balloch. Both successfully completed the challenge and raised money to support dementia charities - a fantastc achievement!

Jacqueline McElhinney, Senior Officer (Data Governance) took on the Kiltwalk for the second year in a row.  After completing it last year she admitted she had underestimated just how physically demanding it would be and was adamant she would not do it again! However, with encouragement from her friends, she decided to take on the challenge once more.

Jacqueline said: “I have friends whose relatives live with dementia, and it is also something many of our service users in Home Care are living with. It felt important to raise money to support the charities that help these individuals and their families.

“The atmosphere on the day was incredible. People were out in their gardens cheering us on and handing out bottles of water and sweets. There was a real sense of community, as you met folk along the way and shared stories. When we reached the finishing tent, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers were playing which kept everyone’s spirits high.”

For Stacey Bird, Project Support Officer, this was her first Kiltwalk, and an especially tough one. Living with fibromyalgia meant the 23-mile challenge pushed her both physically and mentally. Despite this, Stacey showed remarkable determination to see it through to the finish.

Stacey said: “My grandfather lived with dementia, and it was hard on our family as well. I wanted to complete the Kiltwalk in his memory and help support other families going through similar experiences.

“It was a gruelling challenge, but the weather on the day was amazing and the atmosphere really motivated me. Once I got started the miles began to pass more quickly.

“It did take my body around two weeks to recover afterwards, but it was worth it. Completing the walk has really boosted my confidence. I now know what I am capable of and it has encouraged me to be more active day to day.”

Robert Murray, our HSCP’s Interim Head of Care and Technical Services said:
“Well done Jacqueline and Stacey, who have both shown incredible determination and compassion by taking on this challenge to support families affected by dementia, including many in our own home care community.”