Eight-year-old who completed epic walk wins Alzheimer’s Research UK award

Heidi Barker, from Ellesmere Port, has won an award for her incredible fundraising efforts for life-changing dementia research.

The eight-year-old won the Fundraise Your Way Award in Alzheimer’s Research UK’s inaugural supporter awards.

Heidi wanted to do something to help her great uncle Ian who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2020, so she took on the challenge to walk the equivalent distance between Land’s End and John O’Groats to raise money for research.

She completed walks in her local area with family and friends then totalled up the mileage and marked her progress on a map. She started in March 2021 and reached her 603-mile target in June this year, raising over £16,500.

With help from her parents, Claire and David, she also built up a big following on social media as they charted her adventures and spread lots of fun and joy.

Heidi said: “I’m so happy to win this award. I loved doing my challenge and I’m so proud of the money I raised to help my uncle Ian and people like him.”

Alzheimer’s Research UK’s supporter awards shine a spotlight on some of the charity’s most dedicated fundraisers and volunteers, who play a vital role in helping to bring an end to the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.

The awards were hosted on the charity’s website to ensure as many people as possible were able to celebrate the nominees and winners.

Supporters were nominated in eight categories that display the variety of ways they get involved, with the awards judging panel selecting a winner in each.

A ninth category recognised six exceptional individuals who have displayed outstanding commitment to the charity over a number of years.  

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “It has been a great privilege to celebrate the incredible lengths our supporters go to in order to raise awareness and vital funds for dementia research. Without our supporters we would not be able to make the progress we are making in dementia research.

“There are nearly 1 million people in the UK living with dementia. Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are one of society’s biggest medical challenges, but with research they can be overcome.

“We are so grateful to Heidi and all of our incredible supporters for everything they are doing to help us make research breakthroughs that will keep people connected to their families, their worlds and themselves for longer.”

To find out more about Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Supporter Awards and to view all the winners go to:

https://alzres.uk/awards

For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK, or to find out more about fundraising and volunteering for the charity, call 0300 111 5555 or visit: 

www.alzheimersresearchuk.org

• Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading charity specialising in finding preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia.
• For our latest updates follow us on Twitter @AlzResearchUK
• Our animation “What is dementia?” explains the essentials of dementia and the diseases that cause it https://youtu.be/HobxLbPhrMc
• Our incredible supporters make our work possible through donations and fundraising, with 1 in 3 of our research projects funded by gifts in Wills. To learn how you can help fund vital dementia research, visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org or call 0300 111 5555.
• We are currently supporting pioneering dementia research projects worth nearly £34 million in leading Universities across the UK.
• How can we challenge perceptions of dementia using only an orange? Find out more at www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/orange and help us share a better understanding about dementia. #ShareTheOrange

Pictured - Heidi Barker with Great Uncle Ian.